from George Richards of Florida Hockey Now,

The Florida Panthers were back on a westbound flight to Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon with a little less pep in their step than the last time they made this journey.

On that previous sojourn to Fabulous Las Vegas, the Panthers had all the promise of what could be the greatest moment of their collective careers.

Now, down 3-1 in this Stanley Cup Final to the Golden Knights, the Panthers are in survival mode.

The next loss Florida suffers will mark the end of what has turned out to be a pretty cool 2022-23 campaign.

While hoisting that Cup may have been on their minds when the Panthers last flew west to start the series, it cannot be on their minds now.

One win will not get the Panthers that Cup — but it will keep them in the fight.

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