The Florida Panthers have done it again.
On June 17, following a commanding 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6, the Panthers clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup — solidifying its status as one of hockey’s most dominant franchises.
Brad Marchand led the charge with two goals, while Sam Bennett scored his league-leading 15th goal of the playoffs, earning the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL playoff MVP. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also shined, making 19 crucial saves to keep the Oilers at bay.
With this win, Florida tied the NHL record for most road victories in a single postseason (10) and cemented its place among the sport’s elite with back-to-back championships.
The Boca Raton Observer anticipated this historic moment. After all, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov hinted at it in our May Issue.
“… Being on this team and this organization and chasing greatness — we want to win again. We want to have as much success as possible,” Barkov said. “Everyone wants to be better than yesterday.”
After the thrilling victory, the Boca Raton resident proudly hoisted the gleaming Stanley Cup on the ice before an electrified crowd. With this win, Barkov made history as the first Finnish captain to lead his team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. In the wee hours of the morning, Barkov and teammates made a stop at Fort Lauderdale’s Elbo Room, a famed beach bar that’s become a beloved hotspot for team celebrations. Fans, many of whom waited for hours outside, lined up to catch a glimpse of the coveted trophy and their heroes.
Congratulations, Panthers — we can’t wait to see what the next Stanley Cup run brings!
For more information, visit nhl.com/panthers. To dive deeper into Barkov’s inspiring journey from Finland to Florida, keep reading here.
Photo by Nathan Denette