# Florida Panthers Clinch Third Consecutive Stanley Cup Final Berth

With a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final at Lenovo Center, the Florida Panthers have secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year. The Panthers, who are the defending champions, aim to clinch back-to-back titles following their triumph over the Edmonton Oilers in seven games last season.

This season's roster showcases a blend of seasoned champions and new talents. Notably, 14 players who have participated in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff were part of last season’s Cup-winning team. Among the standout acquisitions are forwards Brad Marchand and Nico Sturm. Marchand, who won the Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, joined the Panthers through a trade on March 7. Sturm, who lifted the Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, was another pivotal inclusion.

The team's lineup exemplifies strategic roster-building through various channels: 11 players were signed in free agency, seven acquired via trade, four drafted by the Panthers, and one claimed off waivers. Impressively, 19 of the 22 skaters have scored at least one goal in the playoffs, and 21 have at least one point.

Among the key contributors, captain Aleksander Barkov, drafted No. 2 in 2013, has been instrumental with 17 points in 17 playoff games. Sam Bennett, acquired in a trade from the Calgary Flames, has added 16 points. The team also sees significant inputs from Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart, crucial components of the Panthers' offensive strategy.

On the defensive front, Aaron Ekblad, the No. 1 pick in 2014, has provided a solid backbone with 11 playoff points. Gustav Forsling, claimed off waivers in 2021, and Seth Jones, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks, have also been reliable presences.

Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, signed as a free agent in 2019, has once again delivered under pressure with a 2.11 GAA and three shutouts in 17 playoff games. Backup goalie Vitek Vanecek, although acquired late in the season, has yet to feature in the postseason.

Guiding the Panthers’ journey is head coach Paul Maurice, appointed in June 2022. Maurice, with an extensive coaching history, is supported by assistants Myles Fee, Jamie Kompon, Sylvain Lefebvre, and Tuomo Ruutu, each bringing valuable experience to the bench.

Under the management of Bill Zito, hired in 2020, the Panthers have achieved consistent postseason success, including a record-breaking 58-win regular season in 2021-22. Zito’s adept roster construction has been pivotal in the Panthers' sustained competitiveness and their quest for another Stanley Cup victory.