Latest news with #EasternConferenceFinal
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky loved Panthers' Cup win over Oilers but also admits one part didn't sit right
Wayne Gretzky shares honest reaction to Panthers' win over Oilers (Getty Images) The Florida Panthers sealed their second consecutive Stanley Cup in spectacular fashion, and Sam Reinhart's unforgettable performance in Game 6 became the night's defining moment. With four goals to his name, Reinhart powered the Panthers to a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers and etched his name alongside hockey royalty. Panthers' Stanley Cup celebration hits a sour note as Wayne Gretzky reveals one major complaint Reinhart's scoring spree not only clinched the Cup but also tied Wayne Gretzky's iconic 1985 record of seven goals in a single Final series. But in typical Gretzky fashion, the hockey legend met the moment with charm and humor rather than disappointment. 'My records this year are dropping like flies, Eddie O,' Gretzky quipped during the postgame broadcast to analyst Eddie Olczyk. His remark, filled with playful sarcasm, was met with a laugh as Olczyk assured him, 'You still got another 40 or 50, Gretz. You're OK.' — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) While Gretzky's record may have taken a hit, his admiration for Reinhart was clear. The Panthers' forward accomplished this milestone while pushing through a Grade 2 MCL tear, an injury he sustained in the Eastern Conference Final. 'I can't really put into words what it means,' Reinhart reflected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'It's something you never really think about... this one was even harder to overcome and be here at the end.' Two of Reinhart's goals came on empty nets, but the impact of his performance was undeniable. It was a statement game, one that cemented Florida's dominance and placed Reinhart among the elite. The victory made Florida the first team since the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2020–21 run to repeat as champions. But it was Reinhart's tenacity and historical achievement that stood out. As confetti fell and Florida celebrated on home ice, hockey fans witnessed a rare bridging of eras—where a modern-day warrior matched the mark of a hockey legend, and that legend, with a wink, tipped his cap. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final didn't just end with a trophy; it added a new chapter to the sport's most storied history. Also Read: Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky's workout fit has fans raising eyebrows Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Panthers no longer satisfied just to play in Stanley Cup Final
Silly superstitions. In one arena, the Florida Panthers stayed as far away from the trophy signifying their Eastern Conference championship – the Prince of Wales – shunning the shiny 2-foot-tall piece of sterling silver as it was brought onto the ice after their Game 5 win over Carolina. Advertisement In another venue, nearly 2,000 miles away in Dallas, the Edmonton Oilers surrounded their trophy – the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl – after eliminating the Stars in the Western Conference Final in five games, each player making sure his fingerprints were all over the prize. May 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images While both teams will acknowledge the job is not done as they prepare for a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final starting June 4 in Edmonton, last year's result dictates this year's superstition. The Panthers, after touching the Prince of Wales Trophy two years ago and then being smoked by Las Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final, ignored it a year ago before winning their first title. Advertisement Aside from being a talented, connected, determined bunch, you can also describe this team has having long memories. Because even during the team photo after the Game 5 clincher, at least a 1-foot gap separated the trophy from the nearest players, including captain Aleksander Barkov. Florida Panthers' Bill Zito: GM who doesn't 'do anything' (but gets everything done) May 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers pose with the Prince of Wales Trophy as they advance to the finals after wining against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Oilers avoided the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl a year ago and that did not work out very well. Edmonton dug too deep a hole, falling behind Florida 3-0, before a furious rally fell one game short, losing Game 7 in Sunrise. "The bigger picture has changed … for our team," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the 5-3 win over the Hurricanes that closed out the conference final in five games. Advertisement "The first time, and you fight to get to the final, it's just such a big deal. And then when you do it a couple of times, you understand three-quarters of the way through (the playoffs), and there's lots more that has to happen." Like any franchise that tastes success the way the Panthers have the past three years, expectations are heightened. Matthew Tkachuk said just making the final two years ago "felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point." Rightfully so. The Panthers had won one playoff series the previous 27 years before losing that 2023 postseason that ended with losing the final round in five games. Florida Panthers headed to third straight Stanley Cup Final Then it happened. First, a Stanley Cup Final run that gives you that taste. Then, using that experience to complete the mission for the first time. And now, headed back for the third straight year. Advertisement "We didn't come here to win the Eastern Conference," Barkov said. The Panthers are acting, talking, playing like a group that will never be satisfied unless the ultimate is achieved. Florida not only has crossed that threshold of just being happy to be there, it has raised that bar so high that suggesting making the Stanley Cup Final should be cause for great celebration is an insult. "It's an odd feeling," said forward Brad Marchand, whose acquisition at the trade deadline, along with obtaining defenseman Seth Jones, should seal the GM of the Year Award for Florida's Bill Zito. "Excited to win the East, but our job isn't done." Advertisement What we have with the Panthers is a run bringing back memories of the Miami Heat's dominance from 2010-11 to 2013-14 that resulted in four trips to the NBA Finals and two titles. Dynasty? Not quite. A franchise needs to carry sustained success for more than three or four years and win more than one or two titles to join such an exclusive group of teams like the Canadiens, Yankees, Celtics and Patriots. But it has to start somewhere. And with the leadership of owner Vinnie Viola, and Zito, the Panthers at least now can initiate that conversation, just like it was a conversation 15 years ago when it came to the Heat with owner Micky Arison and Pat Riley. "They're the standard, obviously," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said about the Panthers after his team was eliminated. Advertisement The Panthers are the ninth franchise to play in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, second in the past 40 years joining the 2020-22 Tampa Bay Lightning. Franchises not on that list include three of the league's Original Six – Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers. They are attempting to become the third team this century to win back-to-back titles: Pittsburgh Penguins (2016, '17) and Lightning (2020, '21). The beauty of this Stanley Cup Final is nobody is coming into it wide-eyed and overwhelmed. The moment should not be too big for either team. The fact that we have a rematch of a seven-game series evens out the experience and Wow! factor. Advertisement "It's not our first rodeo with this," Tkachuk said. "We are going to be very prepared." Expect the same from the Edmonton Oilers. Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@ Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Panthers at Oilers 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 4 TV: TRU, TNT This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Panthers seeking second Stanley Cup in third straight final
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sam Reinhart's four-goal explosion helps Panthers clinch Stanley Cup
Sam Reinhart's four-goal explosion helps Panthers clinch Stanley Cup Show Caption Hide Caption Florida Panthers capture second straight Stanley Cup The Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers to win their second-straight Stanley Cup. Sports Pulse The Florida Panthers are once again champions of the National Hockey League, due in no small part to the stellar performance of winger Sam Reinhart in the series finale. Reinhart tallied four goals as the Panthers eliminated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. In the process, he became only the second player in history to light the lamp four times in a Cup-clinching game. 'It's pretty special," Reinhart said, according to I mean, we've had guys step up all postseason long. It almost takes the pressure off us knowing that someone's going to do it." Reinhart got his first goal off a turnover and his second after Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner misplayed the puck. Reinhart added two empty-netters to become the first player to score seven goals in the final since the great Wayne Gretzky did it 40 years ago. He also scored the winning goal in Game 7 of last year's Stanley Cup Final. 'I can't really put into words what it means,' said Reinhart, who played despite suffering a Grade 2 MCL tear in the Eastern Conference Final series. 'It's something you never really think about. You know, in a lot of instances, this one was even harder to overcome and be here at the end." Reinhart, 29, said he'll be looking forward to the Panthers' championship parade -- one he missed last year because of a friend's wedding. 'And I'm not going to miss this one,' he vowed. 'I'll guarantee you that.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers' Paul Maurice Turns Heads With Stanley Cup Final Comments
Panthers' Paul Maurice Turns Heads With Stanley Cup Final Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has been one of the best in recent memory, at least so far. The series has seen three of the first four games head to overtime as the matchup heads to Game 5. Advertisement The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are a pretty even matchup, and it has shown out on the ice once again. The two teams just played a dramatic seven-game series in the Stanley Cup Final last year, and this matchup seems to be heading to that exact scenario again. But just like all the fans, the two teams are excited about the way the games have gone. Florida head coach Paul Maurice had some interesting comments about how the series has gone so far. "You're as wired as probably every fan is, right?" Maurice said of handling the situation. "I think it's actually easier for the players. They get to go out and burn it off on the ice, and then, maybe [it is] a little bit easier for the coaches and the managers, and as it spreads out to people who watch it in front of their TV. "I mean, you're wired. That's why these days are so important, that you can come down from them, kind of rest, relax, and then wind back up tomorrow." Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice on the ice after the third period and and win against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at ... James Guillory-Imagn Images The scene is shifting back to Edmonton for Game 5, and should offer the Oilers a slight advantage with home ice. But the Panthers have shown some strong poise throughout the playoffs, and won't go down without a fight. Advertisement Game 5 is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night. Related: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Viewed as Possibility For Surprising Team Related: Corey Perry Reveals More Details on Speech That Saved Oilers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
East Playoff Team Expected to Take 'Massive Swing' at Signing Mitch Marner
East Playoff Team Expected to Take 'Massive Swing' at Signing Mitch Marner originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mitch Marner has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Markham, Ontario, native was drafted fourth overall by his hometown team in 2015 and has given everything to the franchise, recording 221 goals, 520 assists and 741 points. Advertisement However, since entering the league in the 2016-17 NHL season, the Leafs have made it past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs only twice, losing both times in the second round. A big change is needed to get over the hump. With Marner's six-year contract set to expire this summer, all signs point to him leaving the organization. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images With July 1 nearing quickly, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes are one team expected to take a "massive swing" at signing Marner if the Leafs officially decide to let him walk. "When/if Mitch Marner hits the open market July 1, the expectation is the Carolina Hurricanes are going to take a massive swing to try and sign him," Pagnotta said. "Sources say we shouldn't be surprised if they go above $14M on an AAV over a 7-year term. UFA market opens in 18 days." Advertisement The Hurricanes are coming off their second Eastern Conference Final appearance in the past three seasons, but it's clear they need more to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Across nine conference final games in those two playoff runs, they are 1-8. That's not going to cut it, but adding a player like Marner could be the answer. Raleigh is a much smaller market compared to Toronto, and he won't be under the microscope like he was in his hometown. Related: Potential NHL Expansion City Makes Big Move Toward Securing Team Wednesday Related: Maple Leafs Fans Buzzing After First Big Move of Offseason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
