Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Disappointing end to Panthers season doesn't take anything away from extraordinary Stanley Cup Final run
Let’s take a moment to appreciate what the Florida Panthers have done over the past few months.
A team that barely squeaked into the playoffs went on one of the most unexpected playoff runs in Stanley Cup history.
Just getting into the postseason was quite the accomplishment for Florida after they had to fight and claw their way over several teams to qualify at the last minute.
But once the playoffs started, Panthers fans were treated to some of the most exciting and scintillating hockey the team had played in years.
Decades even.
There was the comeback against the historically good Bruins, which came with two huge overtime wins in Boston.
The second-round win over the high-flying Maple Leafs was an eye opener, as suddenly the Cats were viewed as a team that could compete for the Stanley Cup.
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Then came the shocking four-game sweep over Carolina in the conference final, which brought perhaps the most exciting moment in franchise history when Matthew Tkachuk scored the series-clinching goal in the final seconds of Game 4.
Sure, the Panthers came up short in the Stanley Cup Final, and that sucks.
What it doesn’t do is take anything away from what this Florida accomplished this season.
It also shows what this Panthers core is capable of.
So yes, it’s okay to be sad and upset over the Cup Final loss, but also try to remind yourselves of all the good that came from this unbelievable run.
These aren’t the same old Panthers anymore.
Fun times are ahead, but don’t forget about the amazing experiences that we all just shared over the past several months.
This was truly a spring to remember.
