Florida Panthers Focus on Next Challenge After Securing Third Straight Stanley Cup Final Berth

Bill Zito, the Florida Panthers' general manager, opted for a quiet evening after his team secured a spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year. Instead of reveling in the moment, he grabbed a meal and returned to strategizing for the next challenge.

Such a response is expected from a franchise that has transformed its playoff fortunes. Once unable to win a series for 25 years, the Panthers have now reached the championship round three times in a row. In stark contrast to their earlier struggles, they have amassed 41 playoff victories in just three seasons, compared to a mere 25 wins over their first 28 seasons combined.

The thrill of postseason success remains palpable, yet the Panthers have adopted a business-like approach. Following their decisive victory over Carolina, which clinched the Eastern Conference title in five games, there were no exuberant celebrations—no helmets tossed, no beer showers, and certainly no cigar smoke filling the air. Just a few handshakes and a quick meal before Zito turned his attention to travel arrangements for Edmonton, where the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final will take place next week.

"People enjoy compliments and kind words," Zito remarked as the team prepared to return home. "However, we’ve learned that the journey is ongoing. We must remain focused and keep our eyes on the ultimate goal. Success should not distract us."

This season marks an unprecedented level of achievement for the Panthers. Since the start of the 2023 playoffs, they have participated in 11 series, winning 10 of them, with their only loss occurring in last year's final against Vegas. Under coach Paul Maurice, they hold a playoff record of 41-21, boasting a superior road performance (23-10) compared to their home record (18-11).

Matthew Tkachuk reflected on the team's mindset after defeating Carolina. "I didn’t even think about it," he said. "A few years ago, reaching this point felt monumental. Now, it’s all part of our journey. We’re focused on our larger goal."

The Edmonton Oilers share that ambition as they prepare for a rematch with the Panthers. Connor McDavid, an Oilers star, acknowledged the challenge ahead. "They’re an incredible team," he stated during an ESPN interview. "This is their third finals appearance. We’re both special groups, and it’s going to be exciting to face off against the team that defeated us last year."

Mind games have already begun between the two teams. The Panthers chose not to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy after winning the East in 2023—a decision that coincided with their loss in the finals. They repeated this tradition by not touching it again after their latest victory. Meanwhile, McDavid broke from tradition by grabbing the West trophy this year, hoping to shift the luck.

After the Eastern Conference title series concluded, Carolina's coach Rod Brind'Amour offered high praise for the Panthers. "They’ve set the standard now," he said.

This level of sustained success is rare in the NHL. While Tampa Bay reached three consecutive finals from 2020 to 2022 (two of which were impacted by COVID), no team has achieved this feat across three full regular seasons since Edmonton did so from 1983 to 1985. By the end of this year's finals, the Panthers will have played more games over three years than any team in NHL history.

Despite these accomplishments, Zito remained focused on immediate tasks following the Carolina series. With travel plans to finalize and reports to review, he acknowledged that there could be anywhere from four to seven games left this season.

"The appreciation for our achievements doesn’t fade," Zito noted. "It’s just expressed differently now. We respect where we are while maintaining our hunger to succeed again. The players woke up to countless messages praising them, but it’s not over yet."