The Prince of Wales Trophy was presented when the match ended, as the venue filled with Florida Panthers supporters cheered and everyone hurry to take pictures with the trophy.
In the past campaign, Florida defied tradition and touched the trophy.
However, this time, they didn’t. The message was loud – they only care about the ultimate prize in the postseason.
The @FlaPanthers became the sixth different franchise in the past 30 years to advance to the #StanleyCup Final in consecutive seasons, joining the Lightning, Penguins, Red Wings, Devils and Stars.#NHLStats: https://t.co/r80dfC9ha2 pic.twitter.com/RYNTSL13Aq
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 2, 2024
For the 2nd consecutive season, they have the opportunity to win the title. Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves, Sam Bennett and Vladimir Tarasenko notched, and the Florida Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup finals again after defeating the NY Rangers 2-1 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
Florida, who was stopped by the Golden Knights in the past final, triumphed in the Eastern Conference Final matchup in 6 matches. The Panthers will play against either the Oilers or the Stars in the games for the trophy, and that matchup is set to begin on June 8th.
Artemi Panarin notched almost 2 minutes before the end of the match and Igor Shesterkin made 32 saves for New York, who had a 2-1 advantage in the matchup – then were defeated in 3 consecutive, costing them their campaign.
WE ARE BACK-TO-BACK EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/u6EPnSuR3a
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 2, 2024
It was the Rangers’ longest losing streak since mid-January and means that, for the 11th straight campaign, the organization that finishes with the league’s best regular-campaign record won’t triumph with the Stanley Cup.