The Florida Panthers faced some adversity against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals. After winning Game 1 3-0, they dropped the next two. Needing to protect home ice in Game 4, they did just that, creating momentum that would be carried through the remainder of the series.
On Saturday night, after winning two games in a row, the Florida Panthers hosted the Rangers with a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. They took advantage, winning 2-1 and sending New York packing.
Florida will be advancing to the Finals for the second straight season. Last year, after sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes, they touched the Prince of Wales Trophy. It proved to be bad luck, as they were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights.
This year, that didn’t happen. They are focused on only the Stanley Cup and getting past the winner of the Western Conference Finals, either the Edmonton Oilers or Dallas Stars, starting on June 8th.
“We touched it last year and it didn’t work for us,” Bennett said of ignoring the trophy, the one presented to the Eastern Conference champions. “So, we thought we’d try something different this year.”
The Florida Panthers played a brilliant series against the Rangers. Goalie Igor Shesterkin is the only reason New York was competitive, as Florida’s stellar defensive scheme shut down their opponent’s high-powered offense.
Through the first two rounds, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were producing points at a rapid pace, scoring at will. That didn’t happen in the Eastern Conference Finals, as they each had only two points; all of which came in Game 5.
This makes it five straight seasons a team from Florida has represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Rangers’ loss also means it is the 11th straight season the team that had the best regular season record will not win the Stanley Cup.
This is the third time in franchise history the Florida Panthers will be playing in the finals. Their first appearance was 1996 when they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche. The second was last year against Vegas, as they are hoping the third time’s the charm.
“My enjoyment of the game — and this is new for me — comes from my understanding that I’m really not that important here,” said coach Paul Maurice. “And I mean that. There’s a great line, ‘Don’t be so humble, you’re not that good.’ It’s the players. And when they’re going, they don’t need me.”
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