(Sunrise) When the Florida Panthers go into overtime, the discussion in the locker room is all about one thing: who will have the chance to score the game-winning goal.
In fact, the identity of the hero does not matter, as long as there is one. And since the beginning of the series, it is the case.
The Panthers’ overtime record in this spring ball is 7-0. That includes Thursday’s 3-2 victory that cut the Vegas Golden Knights’ lead to 2-1 in the Stanley Cup Final.
Victories in overtime give added satisfaction. We had a bunch.
Paul Maurice, Panthers head coach
“Winning in regular time is good, just less hectic. If it’s overtime, we allow ourselves to celebrate (more). »
Game 4 is Saturday night, once again in Florida.
Sergei Bobrovsky had his say in the 7-0 record, stopping 56 shots.
On Thursday, Carter Verhaeghe scored a second overtime goal in the current playoffs; he also scored two goals in added time in the 2022 playoffs.
“If we give him the disc, good things are likely to happen,” said Nick Cousins of the Panthers. I couldn’t explain it (the perfect record). It really is something special. »
Matthew Tkachuk has ended the suspense three times in the current playoffs. He and Verhaeghe are the first teammates with more than one overtime winning goal in the playoffs since 1993, when Guy Carbonneau, John Leclair and Kirk Muller scored with the Canadiens.
Cousins and Sam Reinhart also scored beyond 60 minutes this spring for the Felines.
“We have guys who are comfortable delivering the goods,” Panthers veteran Eric Staal said. We have guys who are made for those kinds of times. »
It’s not all that new for Florida, as rallies and outcomes from previous rounds against the Bruins, Leafs and Hurricanes have shown.
Since the start of the 2019-20 season (and including the playoffs), the Panthers have led the NHL with 91 wins per comeback, tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Thursday’s win was the Panthers’ first Finals victory, having been swept in 1996 by the Colorado Avalanche.
There is still a slope to overcome to triumph, but the club are convinced that they have what it takes to get there.
“We just believe in it,” said captain Aleksander Barkov. We are playing the right way and if we keep doing that there will be opportunities. »