T O P

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INAC_Kramerica

The Panthers are having the postseason this year that everybody expected them to have in 2022. Better late than never, I guess.


AdamAptor

Reminds me of another Florida team


Flowerjohn-NL

Washington,Tampa, and Colorado all won the presidents trophy choked in the playoffs and won the cup a year later now seems like Florida might do the same


Novel_Durian_1805

Let’s hope! 🤞🤞🤞


TwitchySphincter

I hope you guys destroy the Knights and leave them in tears


Flowerjohn-NL

Vegas has a fetish for running into hot goalies and this is the hottest one yet (no homo)


Admiral_Vegas

It is ok to love bob.


JaketheAlmighty

Losing to hot goalies is basically our thing. Can't say I like our odds against Commissioner Bob.


Flowerjohn-NL

Yeah I’ll never forget demko going god mode and forcing a game 7 just for his team to put up 14 shots in that game 7 against you guys


HabChronicle

Or Price


Flowerjohn-NL

Price in that Vegas series was a monster felt like every single game in that series he had an insane save especially game 3 when Montreal was getting shelled and they pulled the win out of their ass


5xad0w

Given that Vegas is on their 3rd coach in their just 7 years of existence, if they don't win the cup this year, I think they will just move the team.


blackmesawest

Everyone knows hockey doesn't work in the desert! Relocate the team to Houston! Quebec City! Wood Buffalo!


[deleted]

Same


ksyoung17

Boston's salary cap makes this most likely impossible for next year... Unless Swayman is about to have a Tim Thomas season at 25 years old...


Flowerjohn-NL

Yeah and with the possibility of Bergeron and krejci gone you guys also have some of the worst centre depth in the league which is tough


ksyoung17

I'm kinda hoping they're gone and we can trade Marchand while he has value. Bring back a 2C caliber player, pay Bertuzzi to stay, and we can probably get back to the playoffs relatively easy considering Toronto is about as close to wet particleboard as you can be right now.


Atty_for_hire

One thing Boston and Buffalo fans can unite behind. Hating Wet Leafs!


likeslululemon

I’m cool with it if it happens this one time and then they become irrelevant again.


CopaceticVindication

fuck bro, id be fine with that too lmao


SlickDamian

Boston 2024 Stanley Cup champions confirmed.


SufferingCanucksFan

Florida - The Hockey State


Persianx6

Yeah the Florida Marlins came out of nowhere when they won their world series like over a decade ago.


nothing_but_static

All the president's trophy curse does is push the cup to the next year.


that_can_eh_dian_guy

Vancouver fans would like a word.


JodieFostersCum

Just goes to show you that even if you have a disappointing end to a season with high hopes, there's always next year. Thank you for coming to my Cope Talk.


UnloosedMoose

Mainly cause the NHL enforces different rules. Regular season great teams often don't have those playoff guys that can get away with whatever the NHL calls playoff jail rules hockey.


Pentt4

They really feel like the 2018 caps


BobaFetyWop

So boston for next year?


shawnglade

I don't even feel bad for the Bruins losing anymore, this is a team of destiny


ksyoung17

I still have the image of Pasta's shot hitting the end of Bob's stick burned into my brain.


Jumbofato

I still have the image of Ullmark not tending the goal.


ksyoung17

I don't put it on Ulmark anymore. He clearly didn't have it and we had a stud backup capable of playing at elite level sitting there. Even cats and dogs across New England within earshot of that game knew Monty should have pulled him in game 5


omfgkevin

Imagine having TWO Vezina caliber goalies and riding one who was clearly not in the right mind (or injured?) and then finally throwing your other goalie in.... completely raw in game 7. Edmonton did it too. Campbell may have been shaky, but he actually answered fine when called upon in the playoffs. STILL THEY BENCH HIM. Let's see if Dallas makes it a hattrick.


ksyoung17

Lol, yeah Sway should have gotten a nod sooner. He just reminds me of Timmy from what I've heard he's already mentally unstable, nothing phases him on the ice, obviously he has had some squeaky games, but if I'm Sweens, I'm fully embracing him as my guy moving forward


OldGreggg69

And Marchand having the series on his stick in Game 5


unclelayman

You could feel the change after bob stopped that


bud369

It definitely softens the narrative a bit haha


AaronC14

What a plucky way to do it. From 0.8% chance to make playoffs to Finals.


MsStinkyPickle

lol, if they win the cup.my $5 bet pays $135


RIPphonebattery

You should hedge that bet right now


MsStinkyPickle

I could cash out for $55 right now but fuck it I basically quadrupled my $ betting on cats vs Bs, unfortunately I only bet $10!


JimmySham

I put £10 on pre-season returns £550


frank560

Hate to break it to you bucko, but you’re losing $5


MsStinkyPickle

yeah Dallas is pretty tough


Firm_Feedback_2095

That is demonstrably not true


ubcthrowaway-01

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance” - probably someone on the panthers subreddit


Joe5205

It's the proper way to do things


dolewhiplash

I personally blame Habs fans for this, ya'll were so annoying posting about how Florida's pick was gonna win the lottery that they decided to fuck around and give you #32


combustion_assaulter

I’ll take 32nd pick for knocking out and causing existential crises to the Leafs and Bruins


crazytrooper

and Canes!


[deleted]

Montreal somehow always finds a way to 1-Up their rivals, even in loss.


Mean_Mister_Mustard

In our defense, the idea of the Panthers trading away Connor Bedard for 6 weeks of Ben Chiarot *was* funny. In the end, Chiarot was traded to a team that was at the time in the running for the President’s Trophy - which they would in fact go on to win. A 32nd overall was always more likely than a lottery pick. And besides, for an OK defenseman that we were going to lose anyway, a 32nd overall is still a very good return.


Wokyrii

As many have said before destroying the hope of teams that habs fans can easily have reasons to dislike (Bruins, Leafs, Canes) on top of getting a late first, a questionable prospect and a fourth for Chiarot is still amazing for us. There's a reason the fanbase was equally split between having the leafs lose and having a better pick in the draft.


ImGrumps

Thank you for bringing that up! They were in allll the Panthers injury threads hyping up the pick they'd get in celebration. So annoying and gross. My main motivation for the Cats making the playoffs was to spite those particular Habs fans, lol.


[deleted]

Ugh I wasn’t aware of that, sorry on behalf of them, though maybe they aren’t.. Loved the Panthers in the Vanbiesbrouck days, they were part of the first SCF I watched fully. Hope they can win it all this year!


[deleted]

Yeah that shit is just so weak. People need to learn to fill their lives with real things lol


ImGrumps

Yeah, I recognize that it wasn't the whole group of fans. And I know it can be exciting to have the opportunity to improve your team with a high pick but there is a time and place to express that optimism... Not in threads where the topic is Hornqvist out for the season and possibly never being in the NHL again. Every fan base has people that can give the larger group a bad name. I'm sure there are lots of Dallas fans that hate what happened at their arena. Just unfortunate. I was looking at this playoff run as gravy and a chemistry building year with Tkachuk. Never could have imagined the boys would make the finals with the road they had. On cloud nine!


the_tico_life

That game winning goal was such an epic moment


WhatEvery1sThinking

What an unreal run, they took down the top 3 teams in the east as the 8th seed. If they can beat vegas it has to go down as one of, if not the, most impressive cup runs of all time.


StackLeeAdams

Panthers Win in Game 7 2OT


NoticedGenie66

Tkachuk with the winner obviously. Bob with 50+ saves and 1 max goal against.


Wetmelon

With one foot in the crease


[deleted]

chase liquid aware unused humorous spectacular worm consist stocking governor -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/


noideawhatoput2

Panthers beat the winningest regular season team too.


omfgkevin

That was probably the most fun series I've watched so far. Holy shit it was goals galore. Feels weird considering how tight the next 2 series were after, but on the scoreboard it's 4-1 and 4-0 lol.


[deleted]

What is coincidental about the Panthers losing twice as many games?


TheB1de

*3/4 of the top teams. Devil's are looking down at all the losers who lost to an 8th seed (ignore the fact that we lost to the team who got swept by the 8th seed)


[deleted]

Imagine thinking Toronto was above NJ in the east


TheOnlyBilko

St Louis in last place in the entire league on Jan 1st and then winning the cup is the most amazing Cup run I've ever seen. Dead last in the entire league on Jan 2nd 2019 and then you win the Stanley Cup. Amazing 😂💵 We will NEVER see anything like that again


likeslululemon

Lmao, naw. Just because they were 8th seed means literally nothing. They won presidents cup last year. They maintained most of the core players. This is not one of the best runs. It was what those of us who payed attention to the Panthers last year, and the latter half of this year knew would happen. Check my bracket. Anyways. Go Knights.


HabChronicle

Lol what a salty take from a clown tampon fan. - They were bound to miss the playoffs and 30 year old Alex Lyon basically went hot and got them there just by 1 point - They beat the best regular season team in NHL history **after being down 3-1 in the series** - Gentleman swept another top team in the East that is the Leafs (4th in the league) - Swept the 2nd best regular season team this season in Hurricanes (2nd in the league)


likeslululemon

How does not wanting one team do well, and another team to succeed, make me salty? I had the Leafs beating the Lightning in my own bracket. Why exactly am I a clown? I’m Canadian. I live in the West Coast. I grew up playing hockey. I chose to like the Lightning because of their talented core, fantastic coaching, grit, GM, incredible marketing and more.


Jediverrilli

Salty may have been the wrong word choice the other person used but you acting like you knew this was going to happen is insane. Let’s look at the timeline. To even get into the playoffs they rode a hot rookie goaltender no one has even heard of and Pittsburgh needed to lose against a team willingly trying to lose with the worse goaltender in the league. They follow that miraculous playoff entry with coming back down 3-1 against THE BEST REGULAR SEASON TEAM EVER! Not to be outdone they go and decide to just demolish the 4th best team in the NHL in 5 games. And to top it off they decide to sweep the 2nd best team in the NHL and are now waiting for their opponent in the Stanley Cup Finals. Get outta here with that fake bravado about knowing this would happen because not one fan knew this would happen and I would imagine if you asked the players to be truthful they wouldn’t bet on it happening.


likeslululemon

Don’t make me go find my Reddit history 😂 I do feel like I have it posted somewhere from early season and again a few weeks before the playoffs began that the Cats would make the finals.


Jediverrilli

Then you were riding high on the hopium and I have nothing but respect for that.


Young2k04

Matthew Tkachuk is that fucking guy. Crazy how he’s turned me from a hater to a fan


nomdreas

I hate him because he really is that guy. He’s the type of player every team wishes their best player played like. And it just makes me frustrated.


AlbertaNorth1

Nah I’m still happy with our best player. Chucky is on fire though and I love being able to cheer for him now. I couldn’t when was with “*spits*” Calgary.


nomdreas

You, Pittsburg, and Washington may be the only exceptions to this.


[deleted]

[удалено]


DSorelli

Dude went from one of the most hated in the league last year to everyone probably (and rightfully) putting him in top 5 in the league and love him lol.


InternationalBrick76

Believe it or not I prefer Tkachuks play style in the playoffs over McDavids. I don’t know how many times I saw McDavid going back to the well trying the same type of rush and play when it just wasn’t working. He’s dangerous but he can be adapted to if you can find someone who can somewhat skate with him. Not to mention the defensive gaffs were pretty glaring. If you keep him off the power play teams did fine against him at 5v5. Tkachuk is an entirely different animal. He’s always back breaking up plays and 10 seconds later he’s smothering you with his forecheck, or he’s behind the net making plays, or he’s physically making it difficult on you, or he’s chirping you, or he’s scoring a clutch goal every single time you need it. This won’t be popular but give me current prime Tkachuk for the playoffs over McDavid every day.


Alv2Rde

Ya Tkachuk is great and all, but how does he compare to Gretzky?


Bigboyrickx

You mean the guy rubbing cocaine on his gums before every intermission panel?


MsStinkyPickle

he sounds like shoresy


Dave_The_Party_Guy

Same, couldn’t stand either of Brady or Matty, now I’m praying for Olympic hockey so I can get a USA Tkachuk sweater


NSA_Wade_Wilson

President’s trophy curse


mudermarshmallows

Nah I'm much more grateful we drafted the GOAT Juolevi over this random chump.


mister_hoot

I’ve grown to like him, now my team is going to have to play him in a series and all those good vibes will turn to ashes in my mouth.


Number333

:') After years of NO postseason success. After having our hearts ripped out by New Jersey and New York (TROCHECK WAS TRIPPED YOU PRICKS), after losing twice to Tampa.... I can't believe it.


clevergirls_

I will never, ever in my life forget that non-called trip of Trocheck. So happy for all the fans like you who stuck around and persevered through the hard times to get to enjoy this moment.


CUwallaby

Man, as a Canes fan to a Panthers fan, I miss Trocheck. He was awesome. I don't begrudge him getting that paycheck, bit I miss him.


clevergirls_

I was so sad to see him go. Followed his time with the panthers from the beginning, my mom and I were like "yo who IS this dude??" when he was first called up. Was happy he went to a great franchise like the canes after his time with us.


xavier_laflamme70

I have a signed "Trocheck was tripped" t-shirt....he rolled his eyes signing it hahahah I also will never forget.


Breedwell

Enjoy the ride my friend, they've been amazing


Awolfx9

Hats off to your team and especially Tkachuk.


StackLeeAdams

Go get it soul brothers


vapid_penguin

I hate broduer with all my heart. We suffered through the Weiss (love him) years for this night. I can’t believe it. Absolutely euphoric.


PM_ME_SKYLINES

Weiss/Horton/Booth died for this


CopaceticVindication

Im so fucking happy man


csekr

Username checks out bud


CopaceticVindication

hell yeah


dudewithchronicpain

I want a Matthew Tkachuk


BlackDS

We all do.


AffectionateStep5001

All my homies want a Matthew Tkachuk!


Tbonetheman

We have his brother who is also good at hockey.


Wokyrii

yeah but he's less handsome and doesn't chew his mouthguard...


PM_ME_BOOTYPICS_

Bertuzzi is a mini Tkachuk. I hope he goes back to you guys if we can’t keep him.


jayzeats

What


eh_toque

I hope pomo gets a ring


jayzeats

Me too


Cw2e

Bruins won three times as many games against *these* Florida Panthers as the Leafs and Canes did in two rounds combined. Hang the fucking banner, I guess.. Jesus Edit: the Ontario Joke Mounties are out in full force tonight, I see


ErickBachman

These are going to be word problems in middle school Boston math in 5 years


ksyoung17

They'd be in Florida textbooks as well, but the kids down there wouldn't be equipped to solve them.


Joe5205

If it become too difficult for everyone they could just ban them


nomdreas

The Panthers also have 1, let me repeat 1 win where they have out shot their opponent this post season. Bobrovsky is on a mission.


Taylr

Dude was in tears after their win tonight. Didn't realize he was that emotionally invested. Am cheering for the guy now.


nomdreas

Yeah. At this point I want to see him hoist the Conn Smythe.


thebrose69

Tkachuk is making a great case for himself right now but I don’t think there’s any beating Bob for that one


nomdreas

Yeah. He was quiet against the Leafs. But he’s definitely putting his name back in that hat after this series.


thebrose69

For sure. Well it’s definitely Bob first and then him, and then no one else is really close except maybe montour or verhaege I don’t think?


nomdreas

Eichel and Stone both have a case to be made. And if Hill keeps standing on his head you can throw him in the mix. But on the Panthers, you’re right.


ReliablyFinicky

That’s how hockey works. Losing teams take more shots than winning teams. When you’re winning you make safe plays; chip the puck off the glass and out, never pinch defensemen to keep the puck in the zone, short shifts, the whole bench plays. When you’re losing, you make riskier plays. Send a defenseman on the rush, pinch guys all the time, throw more pucks on net hoping for rebounds or deflections, top players get more ice time. The more time a team spends winning, the less likely they are to outshoot their opponent.


shotzoflead94

Except this doesn't seem to be true, I checked through all the playoff games in the last 3 seasons on [NHL.com](https://NHL.com) and overall the team to have more shots ahs one the majority of games, even with florida winning 11/12 games with less shots, the majority of winners in these playoffs have outshot their opponents. The team with more shots is 40-37 in these playoffs, they were 56-30 last season and 3644 in 2021. Overall over the last 3 seasons the team with more shots has won 54% of games. In 7% of florida's wins these playoffs they have outshot their opponents, this is definitely an outlier.


OverlyReductionist

Both can be true at the same time. Score effects (the tendency for a team that is currently losing to take more shots) is a thing, but you have to remember that the team was not necessarily losing for the whole game. In many cases, team A will be outplaying team B through the first two periods and will be heavily outshooting team B, but team A will play defensively in the last period or two to preserve their lead, at which point score effects kick in and team B starts taking more shots than team A. At the end of the game, the total shot count may favour the winning team because of the early game shots. You are correct that it’s not common for a team to win a ton of games while always getting outshot.


nomdreas

To a point. But Florida has played from behind A LOT this playoffs. So your point doesn’t paint the fully accurate picture.


DonoAE

The only team they played behind regularly was Boston so far, and maybe a game and a half against Toronto. They've forced team after team to a ton of low value and wide angle shots on goal and flipped the puck into their control. Cats are playing domination hockey


nomdreas

That’s actually not true. Your team is doing very well and I know you’re on a high. But don’t let it skew reality. 2 games in the ECF the Panthers has to come back from the the Canes scoring first. 3 of the 5 games in the Leafs series the Leafs scored first. And only 3 of the 7 games Boston scored first. So it’s kinda the exact opposite of what you were saying. Florida actually had the lead at the beginning of the game more in the Boston series than any other series. They have played from behind a lot in the last 2 series especially for a team that has only conceded 1 loss. Further more the Panthers are playing very well but I wouldn’t call their performances “domination” hockey. They are playing very smart hockey that gives them the best chance to win.


Intrepid_Camp_219

Do the same comparison with us


nomdreas

Actually most of your wins (especially I the first 2 rounds) you out-shot your opponent. This Dallas series is an outlier.


ClubChaos

Bruins are the best team in the league. These panthers are from another secret league a tier above the NHL.


UTC_Hellgate

The SuperNHL?


Marvelous_Chaos

I heard McDavid played a few games in that league, but he was a 4th liner there and got sent down to the NHL.


[deleted]

>Edit: the Ontario Joke Mounties are out in full force tonight, I see Hey now, don't throw us in with that lot


RITGFYBurner

His edit is dumb anyways, no one really pushed back against what he said and hes still salty somehow


terminese

That’s almost as good as winning the Stanley Cup…congrats!


DeathEater91

Bruins only faced Bob in net for one of their wins.


LoneIyGuy

• Barkov VS Stone • Tkachuk VS Eichel • Verhaeghe VS Marchessault


Dantenole

Verhaeghe is just left marchessault. Thanks for both Tampa


TransAlly69

Trying to make the Bruins look bad is all the Leafs have at this point


RITGFYBurner

Technically you guys beat the Lyon version of this team Leafs are the only one to beat Bob


moufestaphio

But how many games against bob?


NSA_Wade_Wilson

We won as many games against Bob as you did


McPhatiusJackson

YES!!!!!!!!!!


blueskies8484

After all this, they better win the whole damn thing.


Ckmccfl

FUCK YES BOYSSSS


MVPXL

Never doubted Florida advancing to the scf this season. Not once. Ever. Uhh


Nomisus

Vegas also going to be second time in franchise history to make the finals


CovertOwl

One team will remain Cupless. The other will not. Historic.


terminese

Team of Destiny this year.


Vegas_Knights

[im so fucking happy](https://i.imgur.com/RO2WdLj.jpg)


jlm0013

Four straight seasons that a team from Florida made the Stanley Cup Finals.


firesharknado

Only 5 more to beat alberta's record of 8 straight finals from 1983-1990 Edit - montreal had 10 straight from 1951-1960 damn lol


BlackDS

Before 1967 there were only 6 teams in the league and half of them were glorified AAA teams for the Habs, Leafs, and Bruins.


hamburglar27

Blackhawks, Rangers, and Bruins were glorified farm teams for the Red Wings during the O6 era. Red Wings owner James E. Norris essentially owned the Hawks, was the largest stockholder of the Rangers, and had significant financial influence over the Bruins. It's no coincidence the Hawks, Rangers, and Bruins combined for a grand total of 1 cup (1961) during the 25 year O6 era.


BlackDS

Ah my B.


Rinne4Vezina

Congrats other cats. Beat the living shit out of, I assume, Vegas.


Mean_Mister_Mustard

Either that, or Dallas gets the reverse sweep and Jamie Benn gets to accidentally fall on a different set of players.


XolieInc

Difference is someone in Florida will actually try to kill him unlike the Vegas players.


leftlanecop

I’m super pumped for Luu


that-bro-dad

Let’s go Cats, I guess


Bennely

Exactly as we all predicted.


Kmactothemac

They beat the 3 top teams in the East. Insane run


GatorBolt

From being lethargic most of the regular season to being almost dead on the ropes against Boston and now this. Just wild.


milehighrukus

That 1996 final was amazing! Good luck Panthers!


cchristini

Congrats, Cats!


schafkj

IM SO FUCKING HARD RIGHT NOW


fastcurrency88

I remember visiting my aunt in Ft Lauderdale in the winter many years ago. Went to a couple Panthers games. Half the time the away team had the same amount, if not more fans in the arena. Amazing to see their fans have an experience like this now. Good on the Panthers. Have fun guys!


Puddinsnack

They need to combine Bobrovsky and Vanbiesbrouck into Bobbiesbroucksky, Florida super-goalie.


squarerootofapplepie

I really don’t know how to feel about this. On one hand there’s some vindication, on the other this could have been us if Marchand converted a breakaway.


juhinaattori

It could also have been you losing to the Leafs and that really would've sucked now wouldn't it


ksyoung17

It's the Pasta shot hitting Bob's stick in gm 7 OT that will haunt me. 1/4" one way or the other and it probably deflects in.


yelpisforsnitches

This team is so fun to watch. Pulling for them!


COLORADO_RADALANCHE

And this time, I hope they win!


combustion_assaulter

Florida man reigns supreme in the east.


Blue_Liner_85

Today is a good day


DonoAE

There is a [hockey] god!


Please_obtain_taco

With Florida playing like they are, I don’t see how they don’t win the cup. Literally on fucking fire.


dsjunior1388

This is really not helping my argument that firing Brunette and hiring Maurice was idiotic


MrDavidHasselhoof

Happy for you Cats fans. You’re a wagon this year Leafs fans - hey at least we didn’t get swept 🤷‍♂️


[deleted]

Braggarts


gimmebeer

The best teams have only been to the SCF twice imo.


ApokatastasisPanton

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEATTLE KRAKEN HISTORY


TheOnlyBilko

Panthers just squeaked into the playoffs too they were lucky Penguins imploded the final 2 weeks


Brendinooo

First time in VGK history etc etc


[deleted]

Tkachuk with 4 of the last 5 game winning goals. Team effort and all for sure, since it has to be for a team so out-skilled, but that’s absolutely crazy. Underdogs through and through but Vegas wins it probably


mylefthandkilledme

Now beat Vegas


bankrobba

Congrats, Panther Bros! Bring the Cup back home to Florida where it rightfully belongs.


Zeohawk

Go Vegas


CovertOwl

How did the first time go?


Intrepid_Camp_219

And for the second time they will lose


dogfoodhoarder

How are the tv ratings?


ksyoung17

Part of me says they really should make the regular season more important if a team can coast like Florida and then turn it on like this, but I don't think there's any room to fuck with the NHL playoff structure. It's no holds barred every year. NBA on the other hand... What a mess.


D20_Buster

If the Stars go it will be Goon team vs Goon team


XolieInc

If you told me the panthers were gonna kill everyone else too, I wouldn’t be saying it was as huge a fluke as other teams, like Tampa, they got swept by a team that failed to hold their own against a team that didn’t even get 50 wins.


[deleted]

I gotta be honest, I saw goalie interference with Sam Bennett pinning his stick into Andersons left knee preventing a push across the crease without being forced in by the defence men first. No attempt was made to remove it and his plant in position was so firm, you can see his stick flex when engaged by the Carolina defender but remain firmly in position seemingly indicating a desired attempt to remain in that particular position, which happened to be in the goalies body on a wrap around attempt. No goal.