Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final Preview

• Matthew Tkachuk led the Panthers to a 4-0 series win over the Hurricanes
• William Karlsson powered the Golden Knights to a 4-2 series win over the Stars
• The Golden Knights and the Panthers split their regular season series

The Florida Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time after sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Panthers will next face the Vegas Golden Knights, who needed six games to eliminate the Dallas Stars.

Sports Brief breaks down the upcoming championship series between the Panthers and the Golden Knights.

Previous matchups this season

The Golden Knights and the Panthers tied their regular season series at one game apiece.

They first locked horns on January 12, 2023, with the Golden Knights recording a come-from-behind win against the Panthers at home, per ESPN.

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The Golden Knights scored three unanswered goals in the third period to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 victory.

The Golden Knights’ goals came from forwards Jack Eichel, Nicolas Roy, William Carrier, and William Karlsson.

Vegas traveled to Florida to face the Panthers on March 7, 2023.

It was the Panthers who recorded the win this time around, pulling off a narrow victory over the Golden Knights.

Ryan Lomberg gave Florida a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. Aleksandr Barkov then made it 2-0 for the Panthers in the second period.

Shea Theodore made things interesting with a power-play goal in the middle frame.

The Golden Knights weren’t able to find the equalizer, though, as the contest finished 2-1 in favor of Florida.

Golden Knights: Key players

All eyes will be on William Karlsson as the Golden Knights begin their Stanley Cup Final showdown against the Panthers this Saturday.

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He willed Vegas to victory against Dallas in Game 6, scoring two goals in the series clincher. Karlsson has eight five-on-five goals this postseason.

That production from Karlsson and the rest of the bottom six will be crucial for Vegas in this championship series.

Another player who needs to step up for Vegas is Jack Eichel. He had 66 points in 67 games for the Golden Knights in the regular season.

He has carried that form into the playoffs, recording 18 points in 17 games in his first career run through the postseason.

Panthers: Key players

For the Panthers to win their first-ever Stanley Cup, they will need Matthew Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky to play outstanding hockey.

Tkachuk has been phenomenal in this postseason run for Florida, scoring 21 points thus far. That is already a single-season playoff record for the Panthers.

He scored twice in the series clincher against the Hurricanes, including the game-winning goal with 4.9 seconds remaining.

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Bobrovsky stopped 174 of the 180 shots he faced in the series against Carolina for an incredible .966 save percentage.

The two-time Vezina winner is 11-2 with a 2.21 GAA in 13 starts in this year's playoffs, per NBC Sports.

Series schedule

Game 1: Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena (June 3)

Game 2: Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena (June 5)

Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers, FLA Live Arena (June 8)

Game 4: Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers, FLA Live Arena (June 10)

Game 5: Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena (June 13) *

Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers, FLA Live Arena (June 16) *

Game 7: Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena (June 19) *

* If necessary

Florida sweeps Carolina

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Sports Brief recently reported on the Panthers’ win over the Hurricanes in Game 4.

Bobrovsky starred in the 4-3 win, making 36 saves.

The Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1996.