This Stanley Cup Final feels bigger and broader than a championship series. It’s more than just that the Florida Panthers could become the NHL’s first back-to-back champ over the same opponent since 1977-78.

It is the Repeat vs. Revenge Rematch and all that entails: History, no matter who wins.

Game 1 Wednesday night in Edmonton felt big as a Game 7 (more like a Game 8?), but it was only the start.

The Florida Panthers blew a 3-1 lead and fell 4-3 in overtime in Edmonton, giving up a power-play goal to the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl in the last minute of OT after an awfully timed delay of game penalty on Tomas Nosek.

“He’s invaluable,”said McDavid of Draisaitl. “Clutch.”

Florida had been 29-0 in the playoffs under coach Paul Maurice when leading after two periods ... until this. Edmonto

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