SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers are seeking the first Stanley Cup in their 30-year history. It’s another chance to add legitimacy and finality to a South Florida hockey market that is continuing to grow. And it’s also a shot at redemption after a disappointing ending in the Finals last season.

“We’re excited, but last year we were a little too excited,” Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe said. “I think this year, it’s more calm and we’re trying to enjoy the moment while also knowing we have business to take care of.”

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are seeking their sixth Stanley Cup - but the first since their last championship in 1990. They also are trying to take the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time in 31 years. And this series marks Connor McDavid's first shot at glory as he looks to solidify himself as one of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of hockey skates.

“My attitude towards it, If those guys never win a cup in their career, they will absolutely be legends of the game forever,” Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner said of McDavid and teammate Leon Draisaitl. “They are the best players in the world, they are winning trophies and all of that stuff, it’s amazing and it shows how hard they battle.”

So much will be up for grabs when the Stanley Cup Final opens Saturday at 8 p.m. in Sunrise.

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Here are five of the top storylines to follow during this best-of-seven series:

Aleksander Barkov vs. Connor McDavid

At the forefront of the series, it’s the battle of the best offensive player against the top defensive forward in the NHL.

McDavid has won multiple scoring titles and MVP trophies, but he is looking to secure the biggest accolade of his career. Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov provides a unique challenge for McDavid with his speed, defensive awareness and added physicality.

“He’s a great player,” McDavid said of facing Barkov. “He is a full 200-foot player. He’s great in the offensive zone and in the defensive zone he is as good as it gets. It’s going to be a great challenge and I’m excited.”

Oilers' penalty kill vs. Panthers' power play

While Edmonton’s power play usually grabs headlines, its penalty kill has been even better throughout the playoffs.

Their penalty kill ranks atop the NHL in the postseason with 28 consecutive penalties killed following a flawless Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars.

“Obviously, they haven’t let up a lot of goals, so they have all the confidence right now to be effective on that kill,” Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour said. “I know they use a number of bodies, they probably use 7 or 8 guys interchangeably, they play aggressively. But we have all the confidence as well to make those plays fast and make them right. We have to be aggressive on our side and it’s going to be a good test.”

Top 4 picks from 2014 NHL Draft featured in series

When the puck drops on Saturday night, the Top 4 selections of the 2014 NHL Draft will be there. Draisaitl is the lone representative from the Oilers side while Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and No. 1 pick Aaron Ekblad are all on Florida’s end.

“That’s pretty cool,” Bennett said. “As 17- and 18-year-olds, were were touring around LA and New York. We were all just kids trying to enjoy the experience back then. Ten years later, it’s pretty cool how things work out sometimes.”

Edmonton turned season around after disappointing start

In November, a trip to the Stanley Cup Final looked very unlikely for the Oilers. They started 3-9-1 before firing head coach Jay Woodcroft and hiring Kris Knoblauch.

Since then, they have been much more than just a top-heavy offensive powerhouse. They have been one of the most complete teams in the NHL with a much more structured system defensively.

“First and foremost, our team knew that we were in a really difficult spot,” Skinner said. “We really dug ourselves out of it at the time. What we had to do to climb out of it, we all knew it was going to be a major test and something very difficult to do, so it added a lot of juice to our team.

“Obviously, guys getting sent down, a coach getting fired, it shows you that your job is insecure and that you gotta get to work here to keep it. I think for us, it gave us a big boost and [Knoblauch] coming in, he’s been an incredible coach to all of us. He brings a calm, easy presence where he keeps us really light and no matter what happens in a period, he’s always the same and I think that really shows a lot of character for him.”

Matthew Tkachuk has chance to take over a series ... again

In last year’s Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers were done in as soon as Matthew Tkachuk fractured his sternum in Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights, who ended up winning in five games.

This year, a healthy Tkachuk has the chance to take over a series yet again. His 16 goals and 43 points in 37 postseason games over the last two years, and his presence as one of the most agitating players to go against in the NHL, speak for themselves.

“If you watch Matthew Tkachuk play hockey and then watch our team, it wasn’t a great leap to think that this is a pretty significant asset that can come in,” Florida general manager Bill Zito said of acquiring Tkachuk. “He brings that energy and enthusiasm and I think he was 24 at the time, he was still a younger player still coming into his prime and he’s a big-moment guy.”

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STANLEY CUP FINAL

Oilers at Panthers, Game 1 (best of seven)

Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Storylines for Stanley Cup Final between Florida Panthers Edmonton Oilers