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

By NHL Public Relations

June 7, 2023

After a raucous opening two games in Las Vegas that saw the home side take a 2-0 series lead, the Stanley Cup Final shifts to FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday for Game 3.

The contest will mark the Panthers’ first Stanley Cup Final home game since 1996 and will be played exactly 27 years to the day of the first time they hosted a game in the championship series on June 8, 1996 (3-2 L vs. COL in Game 3 of 1996 SCF).

The Panthers enter Game 3 trailing 2-0 and will look to become the sixth team in NHL history to erase a series deficit of that length in a best-of-seven to win the Stanley Cup.

Vegas has nine different goal scorers through the first two games of the Final, the most ever by one team through two contests of the championship series. The previous high of eight was achieved by the 2014 Kings, 2006 Hurricanes, 1982 and 1981 Islanders, 1980 Flyers and 1973 Canadiens. All except Philadelphia went on to win the Cup. 

Jonathan Marchessault is riding his second three-game goal streak this postseason and will take a seven-game point streak to South Florida – which is tied for the longest in Golden Knights playoff history.   

Source: NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 6 & 7, 2023