Florida Panthers 5 Keys to Winning the Eastern Conference Finals

Insulate Sergei Bobrovsky

Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky is a bit of an enigma between the pipes. For years, he struggled in the playoffs, posting below-average metrics across the board and a record below .500. But things changed in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bobrovsky was sensational after being called off the bench in Round 1, helping his team to the final before running out of steam. He's following a similar pattern in this year's postseason, and Florida needs to continue insulating their goaltender if they hope to advance. 

Bobrovsky hasn't looked exceptional during this playoff run, but he's been what the Panthers need him to be. He has a middling 90.2% save percentage and 2.37 goals against average while facing just 24.0 shots per game. That's hardly a passing grade or vote of confidence for a Panthers team that will face a more sincere challenge from New York. 

Florida needs to play a structured defensive system to prevent the Rangers from gaining offensive momentum. In the end, it cost the Panthers the Stanley Cup last year, and they can't demand too much from Bobrovsky in the Eastern Conference Final.

Don't Give the Rangers Ample Powerplays

As in the regular season, the Rangers' success isn't contingent on five-on-five play. They finished the regular season with the 14th-fewest goals at five-on-five and an even more reckless 50.2% goals-for percentage.

That's been their standard again early in the postseason. New York has recorded the fewest five-on-five goals of any team in the second round. Moreover, those 19 goals represent nearly 50.0% of their total output, with the Rangers adding 16 more via special teams.

Therein lies one of the Panthers' keys to knocking off the Rangers. If they can force the Rangers to play most of the series at five-on-five, they will limit New York's scoring potential. 

But Don't Lose Your Edge Florida

Still, Florida can't abandon the style of play that got them to the Eastern Conference Final. As we saw against Boston, the Panthers' unforgiving truculence was one of the critical factors in their success. They must maintain that style to keep the Rangers' skilled players at bay. 

The Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning can testify to how hard the Panthers are to play against in the playoffs. And it's not a style the Rangers are familiar with. New York was tasked with getting past the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes in the first two rounds, neither of which pushed the Rangers to their limit.

Playing on the edge, without drawing penalties, is the line the Panthers have to walk. They have executed their strategies flawlessly again and must sustain that play in Round 3.

Extract Maximum Value From Matthew Tkachuk

He might officially be the team captain, but Matthew Tkachuk is the undisputed leader of the Florida Panthers. He leads the team in scoring, does whatever it takes to win, and consistently gets underneath the skin of his opponents. Head coach Paul Maurice needs to deploy his center in a way that extracts maximum value. 

Tkachuk's role will change depending on the circumstances. He might see more defensive zone starts on the road or play with the lead. Tkachuk could be asked to do more in the attacking zone if the Panthers are in their friendly confines or trailing. But whenever he's on the ice, Tkachuk has to fulfill the scoring and agitating roles. 

Let Tkachuk do his thing. It's working, and as we saw last year, it will get the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final.

Insulate Sergei Bobrovsky

Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky is a bit of an enigma between the pipes. For years, he struggled in the playoffs, posting below-average metrics across the board and a record below .500. But things changed in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bobrovsky was sensational after being called off the bench in Round 1, helping his team to the final before running out of steam. He's following a similar pattern in this year's postseason, and Florida needs to continue insulating their goaltender if they hope to advance. 

Bobrovsky hasn't looked exceptional during this playoff run, but he's been what the Panthers need him to be. He has a middling 90.2% save percentage and 2.37 goals against average while facing just 24.0 shots per game. That's hardly a passing grade or vote of confidence for a Panthers team that will face a more sincere challenge from New York. 

Florida needs to play a structured defensive system to prevent the Rangers from gaining offensive momentum. In the end, it cost the Panthers the Stanley Cup last year, and they can't demand too much from Bobrovsky in the Eastern Conference Final.