Down to the Final Three: Florida Eliminates Carolina

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For the sixth season in a row, a Florida based team has represented the East in the Stanley Cup Finals. This season, the Panthers have advanced to the finals. The Panthers advanced after beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. This is the Panthers third Stanley Cup Final in a row.

In 2023, the Panthers choose to touch the cup and lost in the finals to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Last year, Florida did not touch the cup and won. This season, the Panthers elected to not touch the cup again. As some believe, touching the Stanley Cup before winning it is bad luck.

The defending champ’s road to the finals began against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida were able to knock out their Florida counterpart. They won the series 4-1. In the Conference semi-finals, Florida faced the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto took them to game seven. However, Florida walked away with a 6-1 win in game seven.

Against the Hurricanes, Florida came out to a quick 2-0 series lead. As a result, Carolina benched netminder Frederick Andersen for Pyotr Kochetkov. Kochetkov did not serve better as Florida won game three 6-2. Up 3-0, Florida looked to close the series in game four. However, with Andersen back in net, Carolina managed a shutout winning 3-0.

In game five, Sebastian Aho came out hot giving Carolina a 2-0 lead in the first. Florida fired back in the second scoring three straight. Seth Jarvis tied the game 3-3. Although Florida came back with goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennet to advance with a 5-3 victory.

This loss raises questions for the Hurricanes. Rod Brind’Amour has been the Head Coach since 2018. He finds himself in the hot seat after this exit. This marks his seventh straight playoff exit. Furthermore, the team has made zero Stanley Cup Finals during his tenure. However, this season Brind’Amour became the fastest coach to reach 300 wins. He achieved this feat in 488 games.

Either the Dallas Stars or the Edmonton Oilers will meet Florida in the finals. Last season, Florida beat Edmonton for the Cup in game seven. Dallas lost in the last two Western Conference Finals. Dallas last made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020. Then, they lost to Tampa in game six. Currently, Edmonton leads the series 3-1. Game Five takes place on Thursday May 29th.

Sources-

Rod Brind’Amour Becomes Fastest Coach In NHL History To 300 Wins | Carolina Hurricanes

About Post Author

Zachary Worstell

A Marietta College Student with three years of journalism experience writing for Marietta's Marcolian Online Newspaper. He was promoted to Editor in Chief of the Marcolian in 2023. A Pittsburgh native, he covers sports from the Pittsburgh region as well as Ohio and West Virginia.

zach102803@gmail.com

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