Florida Panthers Stadium – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Ben Ezra
In the 2023 playoffs, the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Final by defeating their current rivals in the second round.
However, in their 2025 playoff series, the 2024 champion Panthers and the 2023 champion Golden Knights are currently behind 2-0.
On Thursday night, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Golden Knights 5–4 in overtime to record their second win in Las Vegas. Both of their home games had been won by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In an attempt to resume their series, the Panthers will play the Maple Leafs at home on Friday night. When the Golden Knights travel to the Oilers on Saturday night, they will attempt to accomplish the same goal.
Are the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers having problems? USA TODAY examines their circumstances:
Is there peril for the Florida Panthers?
Despite their unfavorable circumstances, they are at home and defeated a 2-0 series disadvantage in the 2023 opening round.
Limiting Toronto’s opportunities off the rush is one of the adjustments that will need to be done.
According to forward Anton Lundell, “I think we need to play a little bit inside of them,” journalists were told. “We are aware that they want to play quickly and extend out. We must always be aware of that and know their location.”
In addition, the Maple Leafs have responded to Panther scores promptly. Seth Jones trimmed Florida’s lead to 2-1 in Game 1 with a goal 19 seconds later from Morgan Rielly. After Lundell leveled the score in Game 2, Toronto took the lead again 17 seconds later thanks to Mitch Marner.
Throughout the series, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has inexplicably allowed nine goals on 50 shots.
“Our confidence (in Bobrovsky) is never wavering,” stated forward Sam Reinhart. “We believe we have the world’s best goaltender back there. It is our responsibility to make things as simple as possible for him. I believe we are capable of doing that more effectively.
Is there problems for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Because they are playing in Edmonton, where the Oilers are 3-0 in the postseason, their circumstances are more challenging.
Edmonton has faith as well. The Oilers have set an NHL record with six straight comeback victories.
In the 2021 playoffs, the Golden Knights did come back from a 2-0 deficit.
With Alex Pietrangelo back in the lineup following an illness and early play control, their circumstances were perfect in Game 2. However, the Oilers scored three goals in less than six minutes after goalie Calvin Pickard held Vegas to only one goal.
After Nicolas Roy cross-checked Trent Frederic in the face, the Golden Knights eventually knotted the score 4–4 and killed off a five-minute major penalty in overtime.
However, at 15:20, Connor McDavid set up Leon Draisaitl for a goal, giving the Oilers the victory in OT. They scored the game’s opening points with it. The remaining portion came from the Oilers’ depth players, which is problematic because the Golden Knights were meant to be the club with more depth.
Another concerning incident was when Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was tripped during overtime and went hard into the boards before leaving the game.
After the game, coach Bruce Cassidy, who was disappointed that the “dangerous play” had gone uncalled, did not provide an update on McNabb’s condition.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
