* Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final goes Thursday at FLA Live Arena, with the Panthers hosting the Golden Knights in their first Final game on home ice in nearly three decades.
* The Panthers enter Game 3 trailing 2-0 and will look to become the sixth team in NHL history to erase a series deficit of that length in a best-of-seven to win the Stanley Cup.
* Game 1 of the Panthers-Golden Knights series on WBD Sports (TNT, TBS & truTV) delivered the second-most watched Stanley Cup Final Game 1 ever on cable.
FINAL SHIFTS TO FAMILIAR FLORIDA FOR THURSDAY’S GAME 3 After a raucous opening two games in Las Vegas that saw the home side take a 2-0 series lead, the Stanley Cup Final shifts to FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday for Game 3. The contest will mark the Panthers’ first Stanley Cup Final home game since 1996 and will be played exactly 27 years to the day of the first time they hosted a game in the championship series on June 8, 1996 (3-2 L vs. COL in Game 3 of 1996 SCF).
* The state of Florida is no stranger to hosting games of this magnitude as well as other major NHL events. Over the last 30 years, when Florida’s two franchises entered the NHL in consecutive seasons (Tampa Bay in 1992-93 & Florida in 1993-94), the state has hosted four NHL All-Star Games (TBL: 1998-99 & 2017-18; FLA: 2002-03 & 2022-23), the NHL Draft twice (FLA: 2001 & 2015) and 15 Stanley Cup Final games. After Games 3 and 4 are completed, Florida will be tied for the most Final games hosted in one state or province over the past 30 years.
* According to USA Hockey, participation in the state of Florida has grown since the arrival of the two franchises and with it the League has seen more Florida-born NHL players. In 1993-94, the first Panthers season, there were 4,278 hockey players in the state of Florida including 2,908 age 18 and younger. In 2022-23, there are 19,550 players, including 8,769 age 18 and younger – a growth of 357% and 202%, respectively.
* In the first Panthers season of 1993-94, there was just one Florida-born player in the NHL (Dallas Eakins), one of two in NHL history up to that point (also Val James). In both 2021-22 and 2022-23 there have been 12 Florida-born NHL players – tied for the highest total in NHL history.
* As a legacy to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game recently held in South Florida, the Panthers and NHL contributed a joint donation to refurbish and revitalize an outdoor hockey rink at Holiday Park, directly behind the Panthers future practice facility and community ice facility, Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. The surface will be suitable for both shoes and inline skates to increase access and exposure to the sport.
PANTHERS CAN LOOK TO HOCKEY HISTORY FOR INSPIRATION
The Panthers head home trailing in the series but overcoming a 2-0 series deficit in a best-of-seven to win a Stanley Cup is not unprecedented – five teams have accomplished the feat. A look back at those comeback stories:
1942 Stanley Cup Final (TOR 4, DET 3) * In a comeback story for the ages, the Maple Leafs stormed back from a 3-0 series deficit to force the first Game 7 in a Stanley Cup Final in NHL history, which they would ultimately win to secure their fourth championship. In the winner-take-all showdown, the Red Wings were up 1-0 in the third period but Sweeney Schriner pulled the Maple Leafs even, setting the stage for Pete Langelle to score the winning tally. The 1942 Maple Leafs remain the only team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win the Stanley Cup.
1966 Stanley Cup Final (MTL 4, DET 2) * Facing a 2-0 series deficit, the Canadiens rallied to win four straight games against the Red Wings en route to consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Franchise legend Henri Richard played overtime hero in Game 6, scoring the series-clinching goal just over two minutes into the extra frame.
1971 Stanley Cup Final (MTL 4, CHI 3) * After dropping their first two games in Chicago, the Canadiens picked up two straight victories at home to even the series, only to face a 3-2 deficit a couple days later. However, Montreal staved off elimination in Game 6 to force a winner-take-all showdown at Chicago Stadium. Richard scored both the tying and winning goal to help the Canadiens claim another Stanley Cup – he became the fifth player in NHL history to score two championship-clinching goals (also 1966 SCF).
2009 Stanley Cup Final (PIT 4, DET 3) * Eager not to repeat their fate from the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, the Penguins rallied from series deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to triumph over the Red Wings in Game 7 and win the franchise’s third Stanley Cup – their first with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Max Talbot scored twice for Pittsburgh in the decisive contest, both of which came in a span of 8:54 – the third-fastest two goals by one player in a Game 7 during the Stanley Cup Final.
2011 Stanley Cup Final (BOS 4, VAN 3) * After rallying from series deficits of 2-0 and 3-2, the 2011 Bruins defeated the Canucks in Game 7 to end a 39-year Stanley Cup drought courtesy of a shutout by Tim Thomas and multi-goal games by Brad Marchand (2-1—3) and Patrice Bergeron (2-0—2). Marchand became the first rookie in League history with multiple goals in a Game 7 of the Final.
GAME 1 OF FINAL MOST-WATCHED CABLE OPENER IN 21 YEARS
Game 1 of the Panthers-Golden Knights series on WBD Sports (TNT, TBS & truTV) delivered cable’s most-watched Stanley Cup Final opener in 21 years and the second-most watched Stanley Cup Final Game 1 ever on cable.
NHL SCOUTING COMBINE UNDERWAY IN BUFFALO Over 100 of the top prospects for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft are in Buffalo this week for the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas, which will conclude with fitness testing on Saturday. The event has returned to KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y., with the prospects taking part in team and media interviews, fitness testing and more.
* There is plenty of on-site coverage from NHL.com throughout the week, including an update on Brandon Wheat Kings teammates and Combine roommates Carson Bjarnason, the No. 1-ranked North American goaltender and Nate Danielson, the No. 7-ranked North American skater. The crew from NHL.com also catches up with Gavin Brindley, the University of Michigan forward who grew up in Estero, Fla.
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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