Panthers Prevail in Game 7 to Hoist their First Stanley Cup
The Florida Panthers restore their grasp on the series in Game 7 after losing three straight to win their first Stanley Cup in the franchise’s history. The Cats defensive blockade looked its natural form as they were able to limit the Oilers to a single goal after allowing 13 GA in the prior three games.
The Cats third period heroics came to surface when they needed it most; allowing them to narrowly edge the Oilers in a 2–1 nail-biter regulation win. Aleksander (Sasha) Barkov would then become the first Finnish captain in NHL history to raise the cup.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers stormed out to an early lead just 4:27 into the first period of Game 7 courtesy of Carter Verhaeghe displaying a bit of finesse on a beautiful deflection off of a sidewall shot that was directed three feet wide of the net by Evan Rodrigues.
Later, just 4:49 left to play in the second period — Sam Reinhart received a pass in the defensive zone from Carter Verhaeghe to create an odd-man rush chance where he wristed one just under the glove on the short side of Stuart Skinner to take the lead once again. The Panthers went into the locker room prior to the third period with a one goal lead.
Then, their third period mastery was on full display. In a bend or break for this Panthers group, they were able to come out on top after the Oilers had multiple looks to even the score to send it to overtime, but the Panther’s defensive game, one of the best we’ve seen in years, sealed their fate to become the 2024 Stanley Cup Champions.
Paul Maurice
The Head Coach of the Florida Panthers; who now sits second all-time in regular season games coached, has brought this team to the Stanley Cup Final in two consecutive years — the same timeframe he has been with the organization. Most of us know him by his quotes throughout press conferences, but this Panthers group seem to be a mold of the culture that he has created in South Florida. Maurice exemplifies everything that a player wishes to play for in a coach — the endless support and passion for the game reflects the way he describes his players and love he has for his previous team, the Winnipeg Jets. He went on record after winning Game 7 to state that if he could ask for one more thing, it was for the Jets to become the next team to hoist the Stanley Cup.
Maurice waited a long 26 years behind the bench in the NHL to hoist his first ever Stanley Cup, and extended his winning record in Game 7’s to a perfect 5–0 all time — just one shy of the record that is currently held by Dallas Stars’ Head Coach, Peter DeBoer, at 8–0.
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Playoff MVP, Conn Smythe Trophy, was awarded to Connor McDavid after he was able to post an unbelievable 42 points that included shattering a single postseason assist record and dragging his team back from a massive 3–0 hole early in this Stanley Cup Final. Although he didn’t come out to hold the trophy, he was crowned with the honor of having his name as part of the history books. This is the first time since 2003 (J.S. Giguere, Anaheim Ducks) that a player from the losing team was given honors by the voting committee as the most valuable player in the entire postseason.
Predictions and Betting Picks Recap from the Fifth Liners Team:
Casey Ditzel: Panthers in 6 | Series over 5.5 games
Jorge Bannister: Panthers in 6 | Sam Reinhart: Most points in the series
Jenna Bonomo: Panthers in 6 | Carter Verhaeghe: 25+ shots on goal in the series
Khalin Kapoor: Panthers in 7 | Leon Draisaitl — Most points in the series
Matt Leonardo: Panthers in 6 | Zero shutouts in the series
Nick Kozsan: Panthers in 7 | Carter Verhaeghe: Most goals in the series; McDavid breaks the record of assists in single postseason (31)
