SUNRISE, Fla. — The rink was flooded with plastic rats, as well as a huge piece of foam cheese. The amphitheater echoed as celebrations spread throughout Amerant Bank Arena, shouts rising from “Bobby!” Bobby! Bobby! » to “We Want the Cup!” “.
Florida Panthers fans had just watched their team defeat the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday to reach the Stanley Cup Final for a second consecutive season.
But behind the scenes, in the Panthers locker room, the feeling was different. Of course, there was joy, but it wasn’t madness.
Yes, the Panthers had just won the Eastern final. Yes, they are the first team to return to the Stanley Cup Final after losing there the previous season since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008-09. Yes, they had just eliminated the Presidents’ Trophy winners – like last year. But the big celebrations will wait.
“I think last year we believed in ourselves, but we were just happy to be in the final, too,” said forward Sam Bennett. “This season we are taking everything seriously. We have one goal, that’s all. We will not be satisfied until we achieve it. »
The Stanley Cup.
Coach Paul Maurice couldn’t find the right word to describe the contrast. The disbelief and chaos, the excitement and enthusiasm that rippled through the Panthers locker room after sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final last season.
Saturday was completely different.
“The energy level after the game was incredible,” Maurice recalled of last year. “This season, it was calmer. There were a lot of happy people, but maybe we’re a little more experienced now.
“Even on the bench, it wasn’t crazy when the siren sounded. It was well-deserved excitement, because they worked so hard to win. »
