SUNRISE — In 1996, the Florida Panthers introduced South Florida to the “rat trick” during their first Stanley Cup Final run. In 2023, Florida showed off a new generation of stars like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe before losing to Vegas in the Final.
But 2024 is when the Panthers reached the summit of the hockey world, lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
They needed to get past rival Tampa Bay, which held its three Stanley Cup titles over their little brothers’ heads for years. They needed to beat Boston and New York, whose fans frequently filled the arena in Sunrise during the Panthers’ darkest doldrums of mediocrity.
Finally, they needed to beat Edmonton, the former home of the greatest player in the sport’s history and the current home of the sport’s best player. Despite losing three consecutive games to send the series to a nerve-wracking Game 7, the Panthers clinched their first title with a 2-1 win. It’s the first title for a South Florida professional team since the Miami Heat won the NBA title in 2013.
After starting slowly in the previous three games, the Panthers got off to a strong start in Game 7. Verhaeghe made Amerant Bank Arena erupt, scoring the game’s opening goal 4:27 into the first period. It was the first time Florida scored first since Game 3. It was a radical departure from how the Panthers looked for much of the three losses.
But despite the noise of potentially becoming the first team since 1942 to lose a Stanley Cup Final where they were up three games to none, Panthers coach Paul Maurice said the team did not panic.
“It’s not me,” Maurice said. “It’s not me. That leadership in that room is unbelievable. I just sort of feel if they needed a bark. They didn’t need that. I haven’t been driving this bus for two months. It’s all the players. I’m not trying to be humble. It’s why I love it here. I’ve got a small, little piece of this small job. These men are special.”
But the lead was short-lived, as Mattias Janmark — who earlier in the period had his helmet knocked off on a check by Barkov — got a breakaway shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to tie the game at one.
However, the Oilers did not beat Bobrovsky again. Edmonton star Connor McDavid, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, was held without a point for the second game in a row.
“He’s been our best player all year long, all playoff long,” Sam Bennett said of Bobrovsky. “When we need him most, he stood on his head again tonight.”
After defenseman Dmitry Kulikov shoved a loose puck out of Florida’s crease, Sam Reinhart — the Panthers’ leading goal-scorer and impending free agent — sniped a wrist shot from the point past Stuart Skinner, sending the arena into delirium with 4:49 remaining in a tense second period.
“It’s incredible,” Reinhart said. “That definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s just incredible.”
Bobrovsky had struggled in the Panthers’ three losses in the series, even getting taken out of the blowout in Game 4. But he returned to form just in time for Game 7, saving all but one shot that came his way and helping clinch the franchise’s first title.
“To become a true champion, you have to overcome an adversity, and that was a good test for us, for all of us.” Bobrovsky said. “We overcome, and here we are.”
Fans cheer as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A fan cheers as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A fan and his sign before the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A fan and his dog watch as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers pose for photos with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers bench erupts as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) passes the Stanley Cup Trophy to Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers right wing Kyle Okposo (8) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura (28) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) protests the net as Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) goes in the air in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The team celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) celebrates after the Edmonton Oilers score their first goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers fans cheer for their team before they go up against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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