Florida Panthers (via Getty Images) With a 3-0 series advantage on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, the Florida Panthers are a single victory away from accomplishing something that just eight franchises in NHL history have done. Winning Game 4 Monday night would advance the defending Stanley Cup champions to their third straight Stanley Cup Final.
Florida Panthers near their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final this year
Florida Panthers take 3-0 series lead
The Florida Panthers — once viewed as a struggling expansion club — now stand shoulder to shoulder with the elite of the NHL. If they finish off the series against Carolina, they’ll join a small group of franchises that have made the Stanley Cup Final in three or more consecutive seasons, along with: Montreal Canadiens (three different streaks) Toronto Maple Leafs (three) Detroit Red Wings (three) Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues Tampa Bay Lightning Interestingly, only the Islanders (1980–84) and Oilers (1983–85, 1987–88) won multiple Cups in consecutive three-year runs — a benchmark the Florida Panthers might shoot for after capturing the Cup last season. The Florida Panthers’ turnaround has been impressive: First Stanley Cup Final: 1996 (lost to Colorado) Next playoff series win: 2022 — a 26-year drought broken Stanley Cup Final appearances: 2023 (lost to Vegas), 2024 (defeated Edmonton)Franchise’s first championship: 2024 Since 2021-22, the Panthers have more wins (243 and counting) than any other team in the NHL. Following the Presidents’ Trophy win in 2021-22, the team brought in Paul Maurice, who has led Florida to consecutive Finals and now has them in pursuit of consecutive championships.
One win away from joining the legends
Game 4 vs. the Carolina Hurricanes provides the Panthers with an opportunity to join an exclusive club. For a team that spent close to two decades on the playoff periphery, the chance to win a third consecutive Final appearance — and potentially a second consecutive Cup — is a testament to front office foresight, top-shelf player development, and playoff toughness.
If the Florida Panthers win Monday:
They join just eight other franchises in appearing in three consecutive Finals They solidify themselves as the NHL’s newest dynasty hopeful They keep rewriting their franchise history — one round of playoffs at a time Also read: How the Florida Panthers became the NHL’s most hated and admired playoff team
What to look out for next for the Florida Panthers?
Monday Night Florida Panthers take 3-0 lead in Eastern Conference Final against Carolina Hurricanes
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