In Game 6, the Panthers defeated the Rangers 2-1 to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
After defeating the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday, Florida advanced to the championship series for the second time in a row.
The Panthers prevailed four games to two in the best-of-seven series.
As soon as the game started, there was a lot of excitement as both teams created early, high-danger opportunities.
Power plays by both teams would result in a goalless draw because of some outstanding goalkeeping from Sergei Bobrovsky and Igor Shesterkin.
The first person to break the ice was Sam Bennett, and he did it in the last minute of the opening frame.
With 48.5 seconds remaining in the quarter, Florida led 1-0 thanks to a brilliantly placed one-timer by Bennett that went over Shesterkin's glove and into the top corner of the net. Bennett raised his stick for a drop pass from Evan Rodrigues as they pushed into the Rangers zone.
In the middle quarter, the Rangers managed nine shots, most of which came from outside the attacking zone's high and medium danger zones.
Florida had multiple strong chances at Shesterkin, with the superstar goalie's left pad stopping a Matthew Tkachuk breakaway.
With 48.5 seconds remaining in the quarter, Florida led 1-0 thanks to a brilliantly placed one-timer by Bennett that went over Shesterkin's glove and into the top corner of the net. Bennett raised his stick for a drop pass from Evan Rodrigues as they pushed into the Rangers zone.
In the middle quarter, the Rangers managed nine shots, most of which came from outside the attacking zone's high and medium danger zones.
Florida had multiple strong chances at Shesterkin, with the superstar goalie's left pad stopping a Matthew Tkachuk breakaway.
Halfway through the third period, the Panthers forced a turnover on a hustle play, which set up a vital insurance goal for the team.
Eetu Luostarinen outran K'Andre Miller to a loose puck in the Ranger's zone. He then quickly passed the puck to Anton Lundell, who perfectly fed it across the crease to a cutting Vladimir Tarasenko.
With 10:52 remaining, the Trade Deadline acquisition banged the ball into the goal, giving Florida a 2-0 lead.
It's also fortunate that Shesterkin sat on the Rangers bench when Artemi Panarin scored with 1:39 remaining.
That would be the Presidents' Trophy winners' final gasp.
The Stanley Cup Final is up next.
Dallas or Sunrise will host the first game on Saturday.
Eetu Luostarinen outran K'Andre Miller to a loose puck in the Ranger's zone. He then quickly passed the puck to Anton Lundell, who perfectly fed it across the crease to a cutting Vladimir Tarasenko.
With 10:52 remaining, the Trade Deadline acquisition banged the ball into the goal, giving Florida a 2-0 lead.
It's also fortunate that Shesterkin sat on the Rangers bench when Artemi Panarin scored with 1:39 remaining.
That would be the Presidents' Trophy winners' final gasp.
The Stanley Cup Final is up next.
Dallas or Sunrise will host the first game on Saturday.
Here are some ideas and notes from Sunrise's Game 6:
Bennett has scored in the last three games without a miss. In 12 playoff games, he has six goals and ten points to his name.
In addition, he tied the Panthers franchise records for the most goals in back-to-back playoff games and conference final goals (four, matching Tkachuk's total from the previous campaign).
Each team's power play performance was 0 for 1.
When the Panthers scored the first goal in games that could have sealed the series, they moved to 8-0.
Bennett has scored in the last three games without a miss. In 12 playoff games, he has six goals and ten points to his name.
In addition, he tied the Panthers franchise records for the most goals in back-to-back playoff games and conference final goals (four, matching Tkachuk's total from the previous campaign).
Each team's power play performance was 0 for 1.
When the Panthers scored the first goal in games that could have sealed the series, they moved to 8-0.
Tarasenko scored his first goal of the conference final promptly.
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