Florida Panthers is the main sensation of the National Hockey season leagues. After the previous regular season, which the Panthers had more powerful than all other teams, in this year's regular season they were called one of the main disappointments of the tournament. They were no longer expected in the playoffs, and only at the last moment they managed to jump the train towards the station called the Stanley Cup. Just making the playoffs could be a satisfying end to Florida's tough season. But these guys went further. Much further.
They heroically won the series against the strongest in NHL history, the Boston Bruins, when no one expected it. They coolly dealt with the “Toronto Maple Leafs”, which has already predicted the championship. They made the Carolina Hurricanes suffer and hysteria at a time when everyone thought, «Well, the Panthers won't stand against such a serious and disciplined team.» They survived and did not give a single match of the series to Rod Brindamore's gang. 4-0 is the first «sweep» in the history of the entire franchise from Sunrise. He also led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1996.
And there was some drama.
The Panthers completely outplayed the Hurricanes on the debut of the final game: by the tenth minute they were leading 2-0, and the Hurricanes lost alternately injured Jacob Slavin and Stefan Noesen — very important members of the Carolina system. It seemed that the “Kanes” dropped their hands, but it was a mistaken opinion. They managed to recoup with 0:2, and already in the end of the meeting they answered the third goal of “Florida”. Overtime was inevitable, but … But the removal of Jordan Staal shortly before the siren changed everything. 4.9 seconds is the exact moment the clock in the Sunrise arena stopped when Matthew Tkaczak scored the winning goal in front of his family and Jaromir Jagr himself.
Crazy.
This goal could have been canceled, but the referees, after watching the video replay of the moment, did not see any interference with the Carolina goalkeeper. But everyone saw the emotions of another goalkeeper — Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Russian goalkeeper of the Panthers has gone through a lot to get one step closer to his dream. 12 years ago, he played his first NHL playoff game, but the main goal was far away. It took Bob 12 years to finally get to his first Stanley Cup final. During all this time, the Russian has heard many different words addressed to him. From the best goalkeeper in the league with two «Vezina Trophy» to disappointment with a big contract and the lack of success in the cup battles. Tears in Sergey's eyes after Tkachuk's winning goal were a natural reaction. Everyone understands everything. And Bobrovsky also understands everything perfectly. Today he is the second star of the match, but the main hero of the team in the entire playoffs.
There is only one barrier ahead. He will probably be lined up by one of the best teams in the league, Vegas. The Golden Knights are in one series win against the Dallas Stars, and there's no reason to believe they won't. In the battle with Florida, it is the Knights who will be considered the main favorites of the confrontation, but the Panthers have gone through this three times already. The Stanley Cup is not yet a reality for them, but it is no longer a fantasy either. As well as the «Conn Smythe Trophy» for Sergei Bobrovsky. The Russian goalkeeper is now definitely one of the main contenders for such a prestigious award. But it takes time. Wait.