The 2023 Stanley Cup Finals are set to be an exciting matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams have had impressive seasons and are hungry for their first Stanley Cup victory. In this article, we will take a closer look at the two teams, their strengths and weaknesses, and who the favorites are to win it all.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers have had an impressive season, finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 52-23-7. Their success can largely be attributed to their star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been on fire in the playoffs, winning 11 of his past 12 games and posting a 1.95 goals-against average. The Panthers also have a strong offense led by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, who have combined for 23 goals and 36 assists in the playoffs.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division with a record of 54-21-7. They have a balanced team with a strong offense and defense. Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty lead the way for the Golden Knights on offense, while Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo anchor their defense. In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid all season and has a 2.03 goals-against average in the playoffs.
Odds and Favorites
According to sportsbooks, the Vegas Golden Knights are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup Finals with odds of -135, while the Florida Panthers are the underdogs with odds of 1.77 while you can get around 2.10 on the Floria Panthers. The series is expected to be close, with many experts predicting a seven-game series.
Key Players to Watch
The rosters are filled with great players but we’d like to take a closer look at some specific players.
Mark Stone (Golden knights)
Mark Stone is the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights and one of their most important players. He is a two-way forward who is equally effective on offense and defense. Stone led the team in points during the regular season with 77 and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 7 goals and 11 assists.
Max Pacioretty (Golden knights)
Max Pacioretty is another important player on offense for the Golden Knights. He finished second on the team in points during the regular season with 74 and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 7 goals and 7 assists. Pacioretty is a sniper who can score from anywhere on the ice and will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Shea Theodore (Golden knights)
Shea Theodore is one of the top defensemen in the league and a key player on the Golden Knights’ blue line. He finished second on the team in points during the regular season with 55 and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 3 goals and 10 assists. Theodore is a smooth skater who can move the puck up the ice and is also strong in his own end.
Alex Pietrangelo (Golden knights)
Alex Pietrangelo is another important defenseman for the Golden Knights. He joined the team in the offseason and has been a valuable addition to their blue line. Pietrangelo is a veteran player who has won a Stanley Cup before with the St. Louis Blues. He is a strong two-way player who can contribute on offense and defense.
Marc-Andre Fleury (Golden knights)
Marc-Andre Fleury is the Golden Knights’ starting goaltender and one of the best in the league. He finished the regular season with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Fleury has continued his strong play in the playoffs with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He is a proven winner who has won three Stanley Cups in his career and will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Sergei Bobrovsky (Panthers)
Sergei Bobrovsky is the Panthers’ starting goaltender and one of their most important players. He has been on fire in the playoffs, winning 11 of his past 12 games and posting a 1.95 goals-against average. Bobrovsky is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and has a proven track record of success in the playoffs. He will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Aleksander Barkov (Panthers)
Aleksander Barkov is the Panthers’ captain and one of their top offensive players. He finished the regular season with 96 points and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 10 goals and 13 assists. Barkov is a skilled playmaker who can create scoring chances for himself and his teammates. He will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Jonathan Huberdeau (Panthers)
Jonathan Huberdeau is another important offensive player for the Panthers. He finished the regular season with 92 points and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 13 goals and 10 assists. Huberdeau is a dynamic forward who can score goals and set up his teammates. He will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Aaron Ekblad (Panthers)
Aaron Ekblad is the Panthers’ top defenseman and one of their most important players on the blue line. He finished the regular season with 44 points and has continued his strong play in the playoffs with 3 goals and 9 assists. Ekblad is a physical defenseman who can also contribute on offense. He will be a key player to watch in the Finals.
Sam Bennett (Panthers)
Sam Bennett is a recent addition to the Panthers and has been a key player for them in the playoffs. He has 5 goals and 5 assists in 12 playoff games and has provided a physical presence on the ice. Bennett is a versatile forward who can play center or wing and has been a valuable addition to the Panthers’ lineup.
