Panthers Hold Off Rangers in Game 6 to Advance to Stanley Cup Finals

Patrick Andres | Jun 1, 2024

May 28, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates with center Evan Rodrigues (17), right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (10) and defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) after scoring against the New York Rangers during the second period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

For the fifth straight year, the Stanley Cup finals will have a Floridian flavor.

The Florida Panthers downed the New York Rangers 2–1 Saturday evening in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals to win the series. With the victory, the Panthers won their third conference championship and second in as many years.

Previous Florida trips to the Stanley Cup finals include 1996, when the third-year franchise was swept by the Colorado Avalanche, and 2023, when the team lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.

To best the Rangers Saturday, the Panthers overcame a Herculean effort from New York goalie Igor Shesterkin. Center Sam Bennett staked Florida to a 1–0 lead at 19:10 of the first period, and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko added a second nine minutes into the third.

The Rangers opened their account with left wing Artemi Panarin's goal at 18:20 of the third period, but it was too little too late for New York's best team by points percentage since 1972.

The Panthers will meet either the Dallas Stars or Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals; the Oilers lead their series three games to two with Game 6 scheduled for Sunday evening.