As in 2018, two franchises compete in the Stanley Cup finals in search of the first crowning achievement in their history.

The Vegas Golden Knights, who were defeated in the closing stages by Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals five years ago, now face the Florida Panthers, whose streak in the 2023 playoffs is something to be respected.

Vegas have the ice advantage in a series with Act I scheduled for Saturday thanks to 111 points gained in the regular season (1st in the West). Florida had just 92 points, securing the last wildcard in the East by one point more than Pittsburgh and Buffalo. But the Panthers remain with eight away wins.

The Panthers have also delivered remarkable playoffs. They first defeated the regular season’s best team, the impressive Boston Bruins (65 wins, 135 points), after losing 3-1 in the series. They forced the decision in overtime in act seven when Boston conceded the equalizer with 60 seconds left in regulation.

Florida then euphorically flew over the debates against both Toronto (4:1) and Carolina (4:0 in the conference final). Thanks go to two men in particular: American forward Matthew Tkachuk, who scored three crucial goals – including two in extra time – against Carolina, and goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky (93.5% saves in 14 contested games of these play-offs).

Two Luxurious “Replacements”

The Russia goalkeeper, who did not start the play-offs at the start of the play-offs, took Alex Lyon’s place in front of the net after the third game against Boston and, at the age of 34, eventually proved a crucial player in the finals series. His opponent Adin Hill (27) experienced the same situation and took advantage of Laurent Broissot’s injury in game 2 of the 2nd round against Edmonton (4:2 in the series).

Adin Hill also shone in his first playoff moves, with the Canadian making 93.7% saves and two shutouts in 11 appearances (both in the Conference Finals against Dallas). But the Golden Knights are particularly impressive in attack with 65 goals scored in 17 games, including 10 for William Karlsson and 9 for Jonathan Marchessault.

The Swede and Canadian are two of the six ‘survivors’ of the team that reached the finals in the Golden Knights’ inaugural season (2017/18, which included Zug’s Luca Sbisa in their ranks). Their thirst for revenge is unparalleled in the Florida camp: the Panthers’ only previous finals came in 1996. Back then, Florida lost 4-0 to Patrick Roy’s Avalanche.

Tkachuk future MVP?

Nevertheless, the Panthers had to forgive a lot in this 2022/23 season. They were the league’s top team in the 2021-22 regular championship and then were defeated 4-0 by Tampa Bay in the 2nd round of the playoffs after winning their first series since… 1996 in the 1st round against Washington had won.

The arrival of Matthew Tkachuk changed everything. The 25-year-old winger, who signed in a blockbuster deal with Calgary in July 2022, has 109 points in the regular season and has 21 (9 goals, 12 assists) in the streak. He and Sergei Bobrovsky are currently considered favorites to be named MVP of this playoffs. But the Golden Knights have the means to enforce the decision together.

/ATS