Follow usThe Florida Panthers are on the cusp of returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year and the third time in franchise history, thanks to their knack for winning close games.
Anton Lundell scored the decisive goal with 9:38 remaining, securing a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. This series has seen extremely tight contests, with the last four games decided by just one goal, though this latest match did not require overtime.
Gustav Forsling and Sam Bennett also found the net for the Panthers, while Sergei Bobrovsky contributed with 25 saves. The Panthers, who were runners-up to the Vegas Golden Knights last year, have now won two straight games in this best-of-seven series. They are now just one win away from advancing to the finals, continuing their impressive playoff run.
Tensions rise at the Gardens between the Panthers and Rangers 💥🥊
(🎥: @BR_OpenIce )
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 31, 2024
Chris Kreider and Alexis Lafreniere put the puck in the back of the net for the Rangers, and Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves in another perfect performance in the series. The Presidents’ Trophy winners need to win two straight to return to the final for the first time since 2014.
The Panthers can wrap up the series Saturday in Florida, while if the battle goes to seventh game, it will be at Madison Square Garden, where the Panthers have won twice this series.
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