Current:Home > StocksFlorida Panthers return to Stanley Cup Final with Game 6 win against New York Rangers -Mastery Money Tools
Florida Panthers return to Stanley Cup Final with Game 6 win against New York Rangers
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:01:25
The Florida Panthers are returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row after beating the No. 1 overall New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 on Saturday night.
And they might be in better shape than last year's team as they seek their first Stanley Cup title.
They're scoring more goals, giving up fewer and have better special teams than last year's team, which pulled off three consecutive upsets before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Panthers are also healthier and deeper.
"The right pieces were added, some great pieces added, and just one mindset of doing whatever it took to get back to it," Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "I think the guys who were here last year did an unbelievable job coming back for the start of camp with this on their mind."
They're riding their system to perfection, with an aggressive forecheck making it difficult for opponents to get up the ice. And if they do get through, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is there to shut them down.
He made 23 saves on Saturday and has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his last 11 games.
The Panthers held New York's Mika Zibanejad without a goal and limited Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin (who scored in the final minutes of Game 6) to one goal. NHL leading scorer Nikita Kucherov had no goals for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round and Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak had one in the second round.
The Panthers outplayed the Rangers throughout most of the conference final and only goalie Igor Shesterkin's brilliance (32 saves on Saturday) extended the series to six games. Florida allowed only one Rangers power-play goal.
Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with 50 seconds left in the first period on a give-and-go with Evan Rodrigues. He ripped a shot over Shesterkin's glove.
Trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko added to the score with a goal in the third period, ending an eight-game goal drought. The Panthers have a 24-11 edge in scoring in the third period in these playoffs.
The Panthers are the first team since the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins to return to the Final the year after losing in the championship round. That Penguins team beat the Detroit Red Wings for the title.
Florida players this year didn't touch the Prince of Wales Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conference champions, after touching it last year.
"I think we needed to do something different and that's what we did," Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov told reporters.
What's next for the Florida Panthers?
They'll head to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row and third time overall. They are 1-8 in their two appearances. They'll face either the Dallas Stars or Edmonton Oilers in the championship round. Edmonton has a 3-2 series lead and can clinch the Western Conference final Sunday night at home. Florida went 2-0 against each team in the regular season and will have home-ice advantage if the Oilers advance.
The Panthers were expected to drop off because of early absences of defensemen Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad (offseason shoulder surgery). But they signed defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dmitry Kulkov and Niko Mikkola to help them cope, plus forward Rodrigues. Tarasenko and Kyle Okposo were added at the trade deadline.
"We are not done yet," Tkachuk said. "We're very happy with the way this playoffs has gone for us, winning the first three, but it's a different feeling this year, for sure. I'm very proud of the effort from everybody."
What's next for the New York Rangers?
They went after big names at the 2023 trade deadline, including Tarasenko, and plugged gaps at this year's deadline. In both cases, they fell short of their goal and became the latest Presidents' Trophy winner to miss out on winning the Cup.
The Rangers should be able to come back with most of their players. Offseason acquisitions Blake Wheeler and Erik Gustafsson are unrestricted free agents as are trade deadline acquisitions Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg and Chad Ruhwedel. Kaapo Kakko is their top restricted free agent. Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere are entering the final years of their contracts and are eligible for an extension after July 1.
veryGood! (2789)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Postal Service reduces air cargo by 90% over 2 years as part of cost-cutting effort
- Last Chance Summer Steal: Save 67% On This Coach Tote Bag That Comes in 4 Colors
- Shakespeare and penguin book get caught in Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' laws
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Kentucky’s Democratic governor releases public safety budget plan amid tough reelection campaign
- US judge to hear legal battle over Nevada mustang roundup where 31 wild horses have died
- Chris Noth Admits He Strayed From His Wife While Denying Sexual Assault Allegations
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Megan Fox Says Her Body “Aches” From Carrying the Weight of Men’s “Sins” Her Entire Life
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Below Deck Down Under Shocker: 2 Crewmembers Are Fired for Inappropriate Behavior
- Taylor Swift leads VMA nominations, could make history as most awarded artist in MTV history
- Millions scramble to afford energy bills amid heat waves, but federal program to help falls short
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Man makes initial court appearance following Indiana block party shooting that killed 1, wounded 17
- From Astronomy to Blockchain: The Journey of James Williams, the Crypto Visionary
- England's Lauren James apologizes for stepping on opponent's back, red card at World Cup
Recommendation
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, subject of ‘Searching for Sugarman’ documentary, dies at 81
Commanders coach Ron Rivera: Some players 'concerned' about Eric Bieniemy's intensity
Riverfront brawl brings unwelcome attention to historic civil rights city in Alabama
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Ohio votes against Issue 1 in special election. Here's what that could mean for abortion rights.
Let Us Steal You For a Second to See Nick Viall's Rosy Reaction to Natalie Joy's Pregnancy
Princess Diana's Never-Before-Seen Spare Wedding Dress Revealed