By NHL Public Relations

June 8, 2023

On the 27th anniversary of the first-ever Stanley Cup Final game played in Florida (Game 3 of 1996 SCF), the Panthers return home to FLA Live Arena with hopes of clawing their way back against the Golden Knights as they seek the franchise’s first-ever win in the championship series.

The Panthers rallied from a 3-1 series deficit en route to a Game 7 win against the 65-win Bruins in the First Round and now will try to become the fifth team in NHL history to win multiple best-of-seven series in one year after facing a multi-game deficit in each. The four clubs to do so are the 2022 Rangers (trailed 3-1 in R1 and 2-0 in R2), 2011 Bruins (trailed 2-0 in CQF and 2-0 in SCF), 2009 Penguins (trailed 2-0 in CSF and 2-0 in SCF) and 2003 Wild (trailed 3-1 in CQF and 3-1 in CSF). Boston and Pittsburgh both won the Cup.

This is the fifth time Florida has faced a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven as the club eyes its first series victory in that scenario. The Panthers can look to three players on their current roster with experience winning a best-of-seven after losing the first two games: Brandon Montour (0-4—4 in 7 GP) helped the Ducks rally past the Oilers in the 2017 Second Round (4-3 W); Marc Staal skated in the first of four New York victories as the Rangers overcame the Capitals in the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals (4-3 W); and Eric Staal potted 2-6—8 in the 2006 Conference Quarterfinals against the Canadiens as the Hurricanes came from behind in the opening round of their eventual championship run (4-2 W).

Vegas can become the 12th different franchise in NHL history to take a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final (with the 11 clubs combining for 28 total instances accompanied by a 27-1 series record). The only franchise that joined the NHL since the start of the 1980s that has done so is Tampa Bay (led 3-0 in 2021, won 4-1).

After 16 goals were scored in Vegas – the most through two games in the Final since 1982 – the Golden Knights (12 goals) will look to continue their scoring prowess against the Panthers (4 goals) in Game 3. In 2022, the Avalanche and Lightning combined for 22 goals through the first three contests – also the most since 1982 (24) – with Tampa Bay posting a 6-2 win in Game 3 on home ice (250 miles across the state) to cut its series deficit in half.

Source: NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 8, 2023