NHL Stanley Cup Final 2024 Game 7 LIVE SCORE: Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe lead Panthers to first-ever championship
THE Florida Panthers are the 2024 Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1.
It is the Panthers' first Stanley Cup championship in their thirty-year history.
After leading 3-0 against the Oilers in the series the Panthers nearly blew it but rebounded in Game 7 and secured the victory.
Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring for the Panthers by tipping in a goal from Evan Rodrigues' shot early in the first period.
Sam Reinhart slapped in the eventual game-winning goal in the second period.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played well netting 22 saves on the night.
Oilers Connor McDavid falls short of winning the Stanley Cup after leading his team from down 3-0 in the series.
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'The best moment of my life'
Panthers star Aaron Ekblad couldn't hide his joy as his team won its first-ever championship last night.
“This is the best moment of my life so far,” the Panthers defenseman said.
“Nothing tops it.”
How did the match end?
The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup!!
Florida avoided blowing a 3-0 series lead and won a nail-biter 2-1.
Panthers Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played great and allowed just one goal while saving 22.
The Panthers’ playmakers stepped up as Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart slapped in goals.
Connor McDavid fell short of winning the Stanley Cup after leading his team from down 3-0 in the series.
Sights and scenes from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup, part two
Below are some more moments from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final clash between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers reacts after being called for a penaltyCredit: Getty 
Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal past Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton OilersCredit: Getty
Sights and scenes from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup
Below are some moments from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final clash between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
Connor Brown #28 of the Edmonton Oilers looks to make a play with the puckCredit: Getty 
Dmitry Kulikov #7 of the Florida Panthers makes a save during the second period of Game SevenCredit: Getty NHL legend in tears
Matthew Tkachuk's father and NHL legend Keith wiped tears out of his eyes after seeing his son win the Stanley Cup for the Florida Panthers.
Once the final game of the NHL season was over, the ESPN cameras pointed to star Tkachuk's father Keith, who was seen in the stands crying and wiping his face.
Keith was also alongside his wife, Chantal, and their son Brady Tkachuk, who's an NHL star and plays for the Ottawa Senators.
Chantal was clapping while Brady was smiling and could be seen yelling out, "Oh my god!"
Edmonton Oilers statistics
Below are the Edmonton Oilers statistics from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
- 24 shots
- 19 hits
- 31 faceoffs won
- 1 power play opportunity
- 13 blocked shots
- 7 takeaways
- 9 giveaways
Florida Panthers statistics
Below are the Florida Panthers statistics from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
- 21 shots
- 30 hits
- 28 faceoffs won
- 2 power play opportunities
- 17 blocked shots
- 12 takeaways
- 13 giveaways
Time to party!
The celebration continues as the Florida Panthers have won the franchise's first-ever NHL title.
The Florida Panthers celebrate their 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game SevenCredit: Getty 
Florida Panthers celebrate winning against the Edmonton OilersCredit: Reuters The celebration has begun
The Panthers are enjoying their time with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1.
Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after Floridaâs 2-1 victoryCredit: Getty 
Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after Floridaâs 2-1 victory against the Edmonton OilersCredit: Getty
Fans react to McDavid winning Con Smythe trophy
Florida Panthers fans were not too happy once they found out Connor McDavid was receiving the Con Smythe trophy.
The winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy is...
Connor McDavid!
FINAL: Panthers 2-1 Oilers
The Florida Panthers have won the Stanley Cup!!
Florida avoids blowing a 3-0 series lead and wins a nail-biter 2-1.
Panthers Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played great and allowed just one goal while saving 22.
The Panthers' playmakers stepped up as Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart slapped in goals.
Connor McDavid falls short of winning the Stanley Cup after leading his team from down 3-0 in the series.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period – 3:29: Panthers G Sergei Bobrovsky falls on the ice but Florida is able to clear the puck and survive another scare.
The Oilers continue to pressure and will add another player on the ice as they will likely play with an empty net soon.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period – 5:00: Just five minutes to go!
The Panthers are now pressuring the Oilers attempting to slap in the dagger goal.
Connor McDavid has a tall task ahead of him to help his team nod up the game.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period – 6:30: It has been almost 15 minutes since the Panthers have had a shot on goal.
The Panthers continue to rely on their defense and Sergei Bobrovsky to win them the game.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period - 7:02: Connor McDavid nearly ties up the game but Sergei Bobrovsky makes a diving save!
Zach Hyman comes flying in and attempts to nod it up but Bobrovsky makes another outstanding save.
Bobrovsky has been the most valuable player and has netted 21 saves in the game.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period - 7:51: Edmonton is pressuring the Panthers but their defense continues to clamp down.
The Panthers have shown up offensively as well as they have outshot the Oilers 19-17.
Under 8 minutes to go!
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period - 12:07: We are almost halfway through the final period and the Panthers have stepped up a great deal defensively.
Time is running out for the Oilers as Connor McDavid has not had a big impact on tonight's clash.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period – 14:30: The Panthers once again fail to cash in on a power play.
Oilers G Stuart Skinner has played well tonight saving 17 shots.
Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Third Period - 16:37: Evan Bouchard gets charged for high-sticking and Florida has their second power play of the night!
Florida couldn't cash in on their previous power play in the first period.
20 minutes to go!
Third Period - 20:00: We are 20 minutes away from crowning a new Stanley Cup champion.
Florida currently has a 2-1 lead behind goals from Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe.
Stay tuned to see who comes out on top!
Sights and scenes from the first two periods
Below are some moments from the first two periods of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Florida Panthers fans celebrate as forward Sam Reinhart (13) (not pictured) scores during the second periodCredit: Reuters 
Gustav Forsling #42 of the Florida Panthers skates for the puck as Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers pursuesCredit: Getty End of Second Period
The Florida Panthers are just 20 minutes away from a Stanley Cup victory.
Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe have each scored a goal tonight for Florida.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has looked like the guy who played well in the series' first three games.
Bobrovsky has 13 saves.
The Oilers are not out of it yet though as they have arguably the best player on their team in Connor McDavid who can score at any time.
Score: Panthers 2-1 Oilers
GOAL!
Sam Reinhart takes the puck on a counter and slaps in a wrist shot to take the lead for the Panthers!
Score: Panthers 2-1 Oilers
Panthers 1-1 Oilers
Second period - 10:48: The Oilers pressured the Panthers for over a minute.
Mattias Ekholm nails a slap shot but Sergei Bobrovsky nets another save.
Bobrovsky has racked up 11 saves.