Each team has the experience of a recent Stanley Cup Final appearance. The Golden Knights won it in 2023 before losing a seven-game series to the Dallas Stars in the first round last season. The Oilers are coming off last season's Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Vegas Golden Knights' quest for the 2025 Stanley Cup continues after they eliminated the Minnesota Wild in their opening-round series. Following a 3-2 win, the Wild's season has come to an end. The Golden Knights will now face the winner of the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers in the second round.

Connor McDavid led the team with 11 points, continuing his dominant postseason pace by posting 1.83 points per game, the highest average league-wide. McDavid didn’t shy away from the memories of the 2023 defeat as he addressed reporters ahead of Game 1 after Sunday's practice.