The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is set to be a battle for more than just hockey supremacy. The rivalry has taken on a new dimension, with tensions simmering beneath the surface between Canada and the United States.
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, the star player of the Canadian national team, will face off against Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk, who has become the face of the American team. The two stars have already proven themselves to be key players in their respective countries’ hockey triumphs, with McDavid scoring the overtime winner for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
The animosity between the two teams is fueled by the ongoing feud between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders have been at odds over issues such as trade, immigration, and federal funding for Harvard University, where Carney was a goalie.
As the Stanley Cup Final approaches, brands are capitalizing on the sentiment, with commercials promoting Canadian-made products and national pride. Kraft, Kruger Products, and Molson’s beer brand have all released ads emphasizing their Canadian heritage.
The rivalry between McDavid and Tkachuk is set to be intense, with both players having proven themselves to be hockey stars in their respective countries’ national teams. The series will also be closely watched as a symbol of Canada’s unity and sovereignty in the face of growing divisions within the country.
For now, at least, the Oilers are the nation’s team, and McDavid is their star player. But with tensions between Canada and the U.S. running high, anything can happen in this Stanley Cup Final.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6400902/2025/06/04/stanley-cup-final-oilers-panthers-trump-carney