The Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes will certainly be a tough challenge for the Panthers, as they have an incredibly talented roster. They have also been dominant so far this post-season, losing just two games total.
If the Panthers hope to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row, they are going to need these three things to happen.
Panthers Need Their Stars To Stay Hot
A significant reason why the Panthers are back in the Eastern Conference Final is that their stars have stepped up big time. Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Seth Jones, and Sergei Bobrovsky have certainly been major contributors to their success.
Against a fellow true contender like the Hurricanes, the Panthers will need their top guns to continue to dominate for them. If they do, it will increase Florida's odds of making it back to the Stanley Cup Final.
Panthers Need Their Depth To Continue To Thrive
While the Panthers' stars have been impactful, their depth guys have been just as much. For example, Eetu Luostarinen has three goals and 12 points in 12 playoff contests thus far. Other players like Anton Lundell, Jonah Gadjovich, and A.J. Greer have also had their strong moments.
If the Panthers keep getting contributions from the bottom half of their lineup, it would help their chances against a deep team like the Canes.
Panthers Need To Solve Frederik Andersen
The Panthers have a tough challenge ahead of them in Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen. He has been sensational this post-season, recording a 7-2 record, a 1.36 goals-against average, and a .937 save percentage in nine games so far.
With numbers like these, Andersen is red-hot right now, and the Panthers are going to solve him if they hope to get by Carolina.
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA