2023 Stanley Cup Finals: 3 Keys for the Panthers to Beat the Golden Knights

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Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal on Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Joel Auerbach/Getty Images/AFP

With the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals about to get underway, we take a look at the three key factors that can aid the Florida Panthers in their search for Stanley Cup glory.

We must remember this team started the post-season as the biggest ranked outsiders, having had the no. 16th seed. Having already disposed of the three previous favorites (Boston, Toronto, and Carolina) the Panthers have just one more team to take down from the favored spot.

Can the Panthers keep up the momentum and go all the way? Here are our three key reasons why we believe Florida can overcome the Golden Knights in this year’s Stanley Cup finals.

If you’re planning on backing the Panthers for your NHL picks, make sure you check out our Florida betting guide to find the sportsbooks best suited to your needs.


1. Sergei Bobrovsky Enjoying Best Post-Season to Date

Although he didn’t start as the Panthers’ number one heading into the playoffs, Sergei Bobrovsky has since taken over from Alex Lyon following his 9 goals shipped in the opening three games of the playoffs.

Bobrovsky came into the fold with a chip on his shoulder, and that chip has worked wonders for both his own personal performance and the Florida Panthers team as a whole.

Bobrovsky’s 2022/23 Playoff Stats

  • Won 14 Games, Lost 2
  • Goals allowed 2.21
  • Save Percentage 93.5%
  • 1 Shutout

This is the veteran’s best post-season of his career, and at times he has single-handedly helped carry his team to the finals.

Bobrovsky is finally justifying his wages as one of the highest-paid goaltenders in the NHL, and let’s not forget he pulled a mediocre Columbus Blue Jackets team to the Eastern Conference finals back in 2019 with similar heroics.

Although he has had some help from his teammates this time around, Bobrovsky is certainly a key reason why the Panthers are in the finals and if they go on to win it all, have no doubt Bobrovsky will have a hand to play in it.

At the time of writing, Sergei Bobrovsky is the favorite to win the Conn Smyth trophy at +200 NHL betting odds.


2. Matthew Tkachuk Playing Clutch Hockey

Having been traded to the Florida Panthers prior to this season, the former Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk has delivered both in the regular season and playoffs for the Panthers.

The Panthers traded away 115 points Jonathan Huberdeau in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk, a trade that many liked but certainly were confused by, as Huberdeau had just had his best season to date, but the Panthers front office decided to cash in, and it appears to have worked so far, with a Stanley Cup finals on the horizon.

Tkachuk scored 109 points in 79 games during the regular season, the most by far on the Panthers roster, with second-best Aleksander Barkov having scored 31 points less.

Things Wouldn’t Be the Same Without Tkachuk

Tkachuk is the heart and soul of this offense and without a doubt a key factor for the Panthers if they wish to become Stanley Cup champions. Let’s put it in simple terms, the Panthers ain’t beating the Golden Knights in seven games if Tkachuk were to be suddenly removed from the roster.

This post-season, the Arizona native has scored:

  • 21 points
  • 9 goals
  • 12 assists

Let’s not forget his clutch hockey either, having produced an eye-watering three overtime-winning goals during the playoffs.

He came up with another winning goal with just 4 seconds remaining on the clock in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Not only did that goal win the game, but it also confirmed the 4-0 sweep in the Eastern Conference finals and secured the Panthers’ spot in the finals.


3. Grit, Team Spirit, and Confidence

Not only have Sergei Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk brought great things to this team, it’s also been their style of play that’s helped them get this far. The Panthers can play an open expansive game of hockey, but they can also knuckle down and get in your face, which proved too much for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.

Defying the Odds

The team has come out and stated that the opening-round victory over the Boston Bruins gave them that extra confidence boost that they needed, having knocked out the best regular season team when nobody gave them a chance.

The team as a whole has faced a lot of adversity, from just about sneaking into this year’s playoffs to a whole host of players stepping up to the plate. Brandon Montour’s gritty defense, Anthony Duclair’s comeback, Bobrovsky’s resurgence.

This team knows how to ride out tough spells, heck they spent most of the season just trying to make the playoffs. There’s an aura about the Panthers’ playoff run having already knocked out the 3 previous favorites. Only one more favorite stands in their way.

*The line and/or odds in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.