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Lauderdale Barracks. The story isn’t over yet.
But now the Florida Cats must write two enchanted chapters that send the ultimate story in a whole new direction.
Otherwise, the Sovereign Knights from Las Vegas would win the Stanley Cup title outright.
For more than a month, from the miraculous turnaround against the Boston Bruins to the four straight wins in the Conference Finals against Carolina, it was as if the Florida Panthers were creating their own Cinderella story.
But then they arrive in the Nevada desert for the inaugural Finals against the Golden Knights and suddenly the clock strikes midnight – with no way to tie their story together.
In the first game, they kept pace with the favorites from City of Sins for two periods, but then conceded two devastating goals in the final chapter – and in the second game on Monday, they were blown off the ice by an ace of 7. 2.
It proves that some people never learn
This in no way means that the 2023 Stanley Cup Final is over. Yes, some claim that, but the blunt assertions that “sweep” is just evidence that some never learn. Over the years, we’ve seen countless finishers go 2-0 up after dominating home efforts – only to then lose two straight games outright. Vegas is very good, but so is Florida – and they literally came back from a 1-3 deficit against the strongest team in the regular season in the opening round.
However, some things have to happen to not end with the meltdown of FLA Live in Sunrise tonight and Sunday night.
Above all, Serge Bobrovsky who broke Bruins, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes must be revived. He took what he had at the T-Mobile Arena as well, but unlike Adin Hill on the other side of the rink, it’s not really impossible.
Partly because the knights’ dangerous movement in front of the box made it more difficult for him than previous opponents, but not only.
He loves provocation
Also, Matthew Tkachuk – one of the greatest match-winners ever in a playoff – probably needs to spend more time on the ice than he does in the penalty area. He has a style of play that sometimes results in problems, and likes to provoke his enemies, but after three misconducts within ten minutes in two matches, he’s about to break the Finals record for minutes. Sacked, which of course cannot be tolerated if a great team leader and team leader is missing often and for a long time.
It’s not going to be easy by any means, the Golden Knights have plenty of players who make the difference and play absolutely fantastic hockey at times, but the Cats simply have to find a way to change their so-called combo and win both games at home in the steamy swamp.
Otherwise, the enchanted saga will end – and quickly.