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Watch: Wild sequence saves Panthers en route to Cup win
The Stanley Cup is presented to Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after winning against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Wild sequence saves Panthers en route to first Stanley Cup

The Florida Panthers won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history on Monday, but not before one heart-pounding sequence that could have changed the game's complexion.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the third period, the Oilers had a few golden scoring opportunities but were rejected after each one.

Evan Bouchard ripped a shot toward the net that Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky denied. After getting the puck back, Bouchard found teammate Connor McDavid near the net, but he was unable to score the tying goal.

A mad dash ensued with the puck on the open ice before Bobrovsky swallowed it up to stop the chaos.

The outstanding Florida goalie finished the game with 23 saves in 24 opportunities, including two on Edmonton power plays.

In the only bit of controversy of the evening, Bobrovsky lost the Conn Smythe Award, given to the most outstanding player throughout the postseason, to McDavid.

It's only fitting that the Panthers, who controlled most of the game, needed to withstand a furious rally by the Oilers to seal the Stanley Cup win.

Florida raced out to a 3-0 series lead before Edmonton mounted its impressive comeback to force the Game 7.

In the end, the better team won the game and the series.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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