Panthers are built for playoff success
If there is a team built for playoff success in the National Hockey League this season, that team is the Florida Panthers. The Panthers have all the ingredients to set themselves up for post-season success.
It doesn’t hurt that the Cats went on a lengthy run in the 2023 playoffs before they were defeated by in the Stanley Cup finals by the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the Panthers’ first appearance in the finals since 1996, when they duelled the Colorado Avalanche and legendary goaltender Patrick Roy.
In 1996, Panthers forward Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the team’s dressing room, and the “Year of the Rat” was born. Once the story was leaked to the public, Panthers fans proceeded to litter the ice with fake rats at Miami Arena after each Panther goal.
The 1996 club had success by committee. The team had role players elevate their games at the most opportune times. Players such as Dave Lowry, who potted 10 playoff goals and 17 points. Other key contributors included Stu Barnes, Johan Garpenlov, Ray Sheppard, Ed Jovanovski and goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. It was an unlikely run to the finals after the expansion team was founded in 1993.
The 2023 Panthers started their post-season with an improbable and shocking seven-game series win over the Presidents Trophywinning Boston Bruins. They followed up that series by physically decimating the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games. The Leafs had no answer to match the physicality provided by Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and defender Radko Gudas.
The Panthers went on to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final and proceeded to sweep the club thanks to the efforts of Tkachuk, with two overtime winners and the game-winner in Game 4.
It appeared the team was destined for glory entering the 2023 finals; however, as it is commonly known, the playoffs are a battle of attrition. It was reported that Tkachuk played through a broken sternum and veteran defenceman Aaron Ekblad reportedly played through a broken foot, torn oblique muscle and two separated shoulders.
This season, Panthers general manager Bill Zito added veteran Vladimir Tarasenko in a trade from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline. Tarasenko is a former Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Tarasenko has been one of the best playoff performers in recent memory, tallying 64 points in 97 playoff games with a whopping 44 goals.
These Panthers are built for the playoffs. They defend extremely well and also have key offensive contributors who can score at key times. Sam Reinhart has banked 51 goals, establishing his career high. Former Maple Leafs draft pick Carter Verhaeghe has been nothing short of brilliant for the Panthers. Verhaeghe scored 40 goals last season and has 33 this season.
On the back end, Ekblad, Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling lead a mobile, defensively responsible core. In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky has carried over his play from last season’s playoffs.
Of course there are numerous variables that could derail a lengthy Panthers run, such as devastating injuries or the potential to run into a hot goaltender.
The Panthers will not have the luxury of surprising teams similar to last season. Cinderella has left the building. This is a deep, wellstructured team with aspirations of achieving the ultimate prize — he ever-elusive title as Stanley Cup champions.
Do not be the least bit surprised if you witness NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presenting Lord Stanley to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov at the conclusion of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs! CHRIS HARDILL IS A PETERBOROUGH NATIVE WHO PLAYED GOAL FOR THE OHL’S BARRIE COLTS, KINGSTON FRONTENACS AND OTTAWA 67’S FROM 2000 TO 2003 AND DOES COLOUR COMMENTARY ON PETERBOROUGH PETES RADIO BROADCASTS.
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