Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart delivered a historic performance in Game 6, but it was hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s playful commentary that stole part of the spotlight.
Reinhart notched four goals in the Panthers’ dominant 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, sealing Florida’s second straight Stanley Cup, tying Gretzky’s record of seven goals in a single Final series.
Reinhart Creates History
In the postgame broadcast, a lighthearted Gretzky told analyst Eddie Olczyk, “My records this year are dropping like flies, Eddie O,” referring to the legendary scoring mark he set in the 1985 Final. Olczyk responded with a grin, “You still got another 40 or 50, Gretz. You’re OK”.
Reinhart’s four-goal explosion was a major storyline, making him only the second player ever to score seven goals in a single Stanley Cup Final, with Gretzky being the first. His performance included two empty-net goals, reinforcing Florida’s dominance.
“My records this year are dropping like flies, Eddie O.”
“You still got another 40 or 50, Gretz. You’re OK.”
Wayne Gretzky and Eddie Olczyk react to Sam Reinhart becoming the first player since Gretzky in 1985 to score 7 goals in one Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/qVdq71q7Vt
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 18, 2025
He played the game with determination despite battling a Grade 2 MCL tear, which he sustained in the Eastern Conference Final. “I can’t really put into words what it means,” Reinhart said afterward. “It’s something you never really think about. You know, in a lot of instances, this one was even harder to overcome and be here at the end.”
The win secured Florida’s spot as only the second team since the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020–21) to secure consecutive Stanley Cups.
After adding four to his tally in Game 6, Sam Reinhart became the first player to score seven goals in a #StanleyCup Final series since Wayne Gretzky in 1985 🦏 pic.twitter.com/rIgHFcjPpJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 18, 2025
Ask Gretzky, and he won’t complain about Reinhart’s historic night. His playful frustration was aimed solely at seeing his old record end, showcasing the respect his peer’s performance earned.
The back-and-forth banter with Olczyk highlighted just how impressed everyone was, even if it meant Gretzky’s own stats took a hit. It’s rare for a 2025 performance to echo back to 1985, but Reinhart’s feat and the callbacks to hockey history remind fans just how legendary the Stanley Cup stage can be.
Panthers’ Team Culture Seals the Deal
Reinhart credited Florida’s cohesion and depth after the game, noting that clutch moments like this come because “everyone steps up at different times”. The Panthers had strong contributions across the board. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves in the goal, and players like Sasha Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk added key goals throughout the series.
That team-first mentality is precisely why Florida has emerged as the NHL’s newest dynasty.
As the Panthers celebrate on home ice, the night will be remembered for more than just another banner. It’s defined by Reinhart’s heroics, the camaraderie of a loaded roster, and a poetic twist where Wayne Gretzky cheekily watched a 40-year-old record fade.
