Does Florida make it back to the Cup final for the 3rd time in 3 years?

[WaitingForThatCab]

tbh, Panthers need to actually show up and play to have a shot. I thought they were still missing a gear vs the Lightning. That worked in the first round because the Panthers are very strategically built to beat Tampa, but it ain't gonna work in the ECF.

 

[Delete1]

Florida won't get past the second round, but a team from the Atlantic will again represent the Eastern conference in the Cup final.

 

[IdleTraveller]

I mean, aside from the obvious, it would hilarious to have a florida team in the SCF for the 6th year in a row. I like that tradition just to drive the rest of the hockey world absolutely insane .

I think we have a good chance but it's so tough to do and relies a lot on puck luck and injuries. So probably not.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Decent shot if they can make it through healthy . Best mix of skill and physicality in the league . Not to mention playoff experience .

 

[JFedol]

Great shot. I think the Caps are pretenders tbh. Other than that, there's no other team realistically that has a chance of beating them 4 times in a 7 game series.

 

[JFedol]

It's sort of crazy how bad the East has fallen

 

[the_fan]

I really don’t see which team can stop them making the finals.

 

[Face Of Bear]

They lose to Toronto in 5

 

[JoVel]

Yes. They are the only serious contender left in the East.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

I think the Canes could and who knows maybe the Leafs surprise this year.

The road to the SC sure is a lot easier in the East that's for sure.

I don’t think Carolina beats Washington.

 

[wetcoast]

I don’t think Carolina beats Washington.

Maybe not if Anderson can't play but the rest of the team is dialed in.

 

[sinDer]

tbh, Panthers need to actually show up and play to have a shot. I thought they were still missing a gear vs the Lightning. That worked in the first round because the Panthers are very strategically built to beat Tampa, but it ain't gonna work in the ECF.

They did just enough to win.

Panthers won’t play as hard and as physical as they did in 2023. They’ve learned a lot about energy management over the last few years.

And that’s what is scary with the Panthers. It’s like they always reach the next gear when needed. It’s like each time a team starts to believe that they can play with them, Panthers just elevate their game to a next level.

I think they play with no pressure to win this year. Maybe it will help them. Or maybe they will not want it enough?

With that being said, I think Toronto can win this series. People talking like if the Panthers are just about to play an AHL team and win it easily is laughable. Toronto could actually win it, and if they don’t, games will be close. It’s not going to be a walk in the park for the cats.

 

[NYR94]

I think they do. TBH, looks like we could be headed to a FLA-EDM rematch

 

[AvroArrow]

I think the Canes could and who knows maybe the Leafs surprise this year.

The road to the SC sure is a lot easier in the East that's for sure.

lol no, there's only 3 teams in the West that are making the final. Dallas, Colorado or Vegas, none of the Pacific teams have a chance. Meanwhile any of the 4 in the ECF have a legitimate shot at going to the final.

 

[wetcoast]

lol no, there's only 3 teams in the West that are making the final. Dallas, Colorado or Vegas, none of the Pacific teams have a chance. Meanwhile any of the 4 in the ECF have a legitimate shot at going to the final.

The Oilers are legit SC contenders they proved that against LA by coming back and turning it up when it mattered.

Sure they have flaws but in a 1-16, 2-15 SC format the West would have many teams going deep this year.

 

[Fatass]

We are going to be quite surprised with how the Leafs dispatch Florida in 5.

 

[The Podium]

The Oilers are legit SC contenders they proved that against LA by coming back and turning it up when it mattered.

Sure they have flaws but in a 1-16, 2-15 SC format the West would have many teams going deep this year.

They are running Calvin Pickard…. Who isn’t even playing well, just less bad

 

[Fatass]

lol no, there's only 3 teams in the West that are making the final. Dallas, Colorado or Vegas, none of the Pacific teams have a chance. Meanwhile any of the 4 in the ECF have a legitimate shot at going to the final.

Isn’t Vegas in the Pacific?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

It’ll be a rematch of last years final

 

[93gilmour93]

Probably not. It's hard enough doing it in back to back seasons so I'll say the Panthers will eventually lose a series this playoff.

Hopefully to the Blue team in round 2

 

[CBJWerenski8]

They were the most impressive team in round one to me. I know Tampa wasn’t completely full strength, but the panthers (once again) came into the playoffs on a cold streak, and they turned it on like a flip of a switch.

If they dispatch Toronto as quickly and as easily as they did Tampa, you’d have to think they’re not only the heavy favorites to get there, but repeat.

 

[Strangle]

I think Florida is a great team, but it’s also unbelievably hard to make 3 finals in a row.

 

[sinDer]

We are going to be quite surprised with how the Leafs dispatch Florida in 5.

In 5? Doubtful.

But I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Toronto wins the series.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Washington scares me more than anyone. But anyone can win a series. If the Panthers don't stay focused, they could lose against anyone that's left.

 

[Fatass]

In 5? Doubtful.

But I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Toronto wins the series.

No team in the east is good enough (imo the east is the weaker division this season) stop the Leafs from getting to the Cup Final. Then they will lose to whichever club comes out of the West.