The Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final after beating the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Sam Bennett scored his sixth goal of the post-season to get the Panthers on the board in the first period after wiring a shot past Igor Shesterkin. Then midway through the third period, Vladimir Tarasenko provided Florida with some much-needed breathing room with his first goal of the series.
The Rangers made a late push in the third period with Artemi Panarin getting his team on the board with 1:40 left in the game. Igor Shesterkin stopped 32 shots for New York, who had a 2-1 lead in the series — then lost three straight, costing them their season.
It was the Rangers’ longest losing streak since mid-January and means that, for the 11th consecutive year, the team that finishes with the NHL’s best regular season record won’t go on to win the Stanley Cup.
This is the second straight year that Florida has lifted the Prince of Wales Trophy after going on a Cinderella run to the Cup Final last season. Just like last year, the Panthers eliminated the Presidents’ Trophy winners on their way to the Cup Final after beating the Boston Bruins in Round 1.
Florida is also the first Stanley Cup runner-up to return to the final the following season since the Pittsburgh Penguins did it back in 2009
The Panthers will play for the Stanley Cup for the third time. The Panthers were swept by Colorado in 1996 and lost 4-1 to Vegas last season. It’s also the third time in the final for Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who lost with Carolina in 2002 and then with Florida last year.
If Edmonton — which leads the West final 3-2 — advances, Game 1 of the title round will be on Florida’s ice. If Dallas wins the West, the Stars will have home-ice advantage for the title series. The Oilers can clinch that series on Sunday night.
–With files from the Associated Press.
