There has been no shortage of drama during Florida's ongoing journey through the playoffs
It’s been quite a ride for the Florida Panthers so far this spring.
The Panthers haven’t played this deep into a hockey season in nearly 30 years, and they are ringing every ounce of enjoyment and excitement out of this playoff run to make up for the past few decades.
Entering the postseason as the worst team in the tournament, according to the standings, kept Florida off everyone’s radar in terms of which teams could potentially have some playoff success.
Not only that, but the Panthers were facing a Boston Bruins team in the first round that finished the regular season with more wins and points than any team before. Ever.
We all know now how that series ended, with Florida coming back from a 3-1 deficit to shock the hockey world and eliminate the unbeatable Bruins.
The Panthers pulled it off by winning two overtime games in Boston, including the deciding Game 7.
Then came the Toronto Maple Leafs in round two, a team of destiny that had finally advanced out of the first round, and the new Cup favorite with Boston out of the way.
Florida, the NHL’s emerging road warriors, dispatched the Leafs in five games, winning thrice in Toronto and knocking the Leafs out on home ice, in overtime.
Just like they did to Boston.
That brings us to the conference final.
Waiting for Florida was the Metropolitan Division Champion Carolina Hurricanes, and guess what, they were the new favorite to hoist the Cup entering round three.
That may still happen, but the Canes have their work cut out for them after losing Games 1 and 2 on home ice.
What the Panthers have done over the past five weeks is remarkable, incredible and completely unexpected.
Do they still have substantial work to do? Absolutely.
This isn't a celebration story.
The point of this post is to relive some of the biggest moments of Florida’s playoff run up until now.
It's basically a lot of overtime goals and a few nice saves.
This probably should've been put together after round two, which would essentially be the halfway point for whichever teams make it to the Stanley Cup Final. The tardiness is on me, the author.
But as someone wise once said, better late than never.
On that note, enjoy this trip down recent Panthers playoff memory lane.