RECAP: Panthers 2, Rangers 1

With 1:39 left and Shesterkin pulled for the extra attacker, Panarin scored to cut New York’s deficit to 2-1. But that would be as close as the Rangers would get as the Panthers held on until the horn to win their third Eastern Conference championship in franchise history.

Still, the job’s not done.

With some time now to recharge until Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, the Panthers await the winner of the Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers, which the Oilers currently lead 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Sunday.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work to get back here,” Bennett said. “It took a lot, but we’re not satisfied yet. We still have a job to do.”

That being said, it’s important to celebrate this moment.

There’s only three teams still playing hockey, and the Panthers are one of them.

“There’s nothing better than playing hockey in June,” Tkachuk said.

THEY SAID IT

“We expected to be back here. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but we expected this.” – Matthew Tkachuk

“We all knew that we had the same goal to get back here and get a little better. That’s what we did, and we’re here again.” – Aleksander Barkov

“They’re just, on a personality basis, a more serious group. They’re more even-keeled than last year’s team.” – Paul Maurice

“It’s one moment at a time. We build our system, we cement our system and we work for each other. We work hard.” – Sergei Bobrovsky

“It’s not done yet. We’ve been through three rounds and have one left. It’s been a good journey so far.” – Vladimir Tarasenko

CATS STATS

– Florida improved to 8-0 when scoring first in potential-series clinching games.

– The Panthers are the sixth different franchise in the past 30 years to advance to the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive seasons.

– The Panthers are the third team in NHL history to eliminate the Presidents’ Trophy winner in consecutive postseasons.

– The Panthers went 14-for-15 on the penalty kill in the Eastern Conference Final.

– Sam Bennett led the Panthers with four goals in the series.

– Nine different Panthers recorded multiple points in the series.

– Matthew Tkachuk led the Panthers with four assists in the series.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Twelve wins down, four to go.

While the Panthers have to wait at least one more day to find out who their opponent will be in the Stanley Cup Final, fans can already sign up for pre-sale access for tickets to the series.

Click here to register.