The Florida Panthers were back on the ice Monday, five days after advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.
We know when the series will begin, with Game 1 set for Saturday at 8 p.m., we just don’t know yet where the game will take place.
The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final 3-2, with Game 6 taking place Monday night in Dallas.
When the Panthers return to the rink on Tuesday, they may finally know who their opponent will be in the championship series.
Missing from Florida’s Memorial Day practice were forwards Nick Cousins and Eetu Luostarinen.
Players have popped in and out of the practice lineup throughout the playoffs, which was the explanation for Cousins’ latest absence.
He has suited up for each of Florida’s 16 playoff games.
Luostarinen left Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final during the second period with an undisclosed injury.
He has played a key role on Florida’s third line, along with Sam Reinhart and center Anton Lundell, and on the Cats’ penalty kill as well.
Following Monday’s practice, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice addressed the media.
He was asked about Cousins and Luostarinen and said they should be good to go when the Stanley Cup Final begins.
“Both are progressing very, very well,” Maurice said of Luostarinen and Cousins. “We expect them in Game 1.”
Cousins addition to Florida's second line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk has been vital not only to the success of that line, but the ability of Maurice to spread out his forwards and maximize the team's depth.
He also scored the goal that sent Florida to the conference final, so there's that as well.
When the Stanley Cup Final begins, 10 days will have passed between games for the Panthers.
The team has embraced the time off as an opportunity to rest their bodies, heal any injuries or wounds and sharpen their minds ahead of the most important hockey games of their lives.
Whoever they end up playing, the series should be quite a doozie.