A couple of former Calgary Flames are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals with the Florida Panthers.
With the Florida Panthers' Game 6 victory over the Boston Bruins Friday night, former Calgary Flames Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year running.
The Panthers knocked off the Bruins 2-1 in Game 6 in Boston. Gustav Forsling scored the go-ahead goal with 1:33 remaining in the third period, sneaking a rebound past Jeremy Swayman.
Both former Flames took turns sharing the limelight in the series.
Bennett, who missed the first two games of the series recovering from his first-round injury against Tampa Bay, found himself in the middle of controversy multiple times. In Game 3, Bennett knocked Brad Marchand out of the game, completing a hit while simultaneously appearing to throw a punch. The injury knocked Marchand out for Games 4 and 5 as well.
In Game 4, Bennett tied the game on the power play in the third period. Prior to depositing the open net rebound, Bennett pushed Charlie Coyle into Swayman, leading to a Bruins challenge and what many expected to be an overturned goal due to goaltender interference. The call stood and Florida went on to win the game and take a stranglehold on the series.
While Tkachuk did not draw the same sort of media coverage as Bennett, his fight against Bruins superstar David Pastrnak in Game 2 created conversation. Bruins fans felt Tkachuk's final punch thrown with Pastrnak on his knees in a defenseless position was unnecessary and deserved retaliation once the series went to Boston.
In Game 3, Tkachuk tallied three assists in the 6-2 Florida victory. Tkachuk finished the series with four assists, his other assist coming on Forsling's game winner Friday.
Next up for Florida is the New York Rangers in what should be a tasty Eastern Conference Final.