The Stanley Cup Playoffs provide lots of thrills for fans and teams, with great stories coming every single year.
The Florida Panthers certainly have had their share, starting with “The Goal” scored by Bill Lindsay in 1996.
It was a highlight reel game winner to help the expansion Panthers upset Boston in their first-ever playoff round.
Fast forward a few decades and there is Ryan Lomberg’s overtime goal against Tampa Bay in 2021. Florida did not win that series, but Lomberg’s goal gave them some hope.
In 2023, Nick Cousins netted the overtime goal which clinched the series against Toronto.
Last season, Jesper Boqvist was inserted into the lineup against Carolina, replacing an injured Sam Reinhart on the top line.
You may have heard that the Panthers are not in the playoffs this season.
Just look to Philadelphia and 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone.
He became the first teenager in 30 years to score a game-winning goal in his playoff debut.
The Flyers have a 2-0 series lead on the Penguins and are headed back to Philly.
Martone was a late-season addition to the Flyers’ roster.
He joined the team after completing his freshman season at Michigan State University and went 4-6-10 in his nine regular season games.
Like the Panthers in 2023, it took 81 games for the Flyers to clinch a playoff berth. They finished last of the eight Eastern Conference qualifiers but third in the Metro.
The Buffalo Sabres are a feel-good story even it you don’t live in western New York.
After 14 seasons out of the playoffs, returning coach Lindy Ruff led his team to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division.
Their dramatic come from behind win in Game 1 against Boston gave their fans more than they had to cheer about in years.
Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman may wish there was no such thing as a postseason. His past two playoff series ended in disaster.
Sunday, he was coasting to a shutout until Buffalo’s late third period comeback.
Swayman’s past two postseasons were ended by the Panthers: In 2024, Gus Forsling scored late in Game 6; in 2023, it was Carter Verhaeghe in overtime of Game 7.
The Minnesota Wild qualified for the playoffs in eight of the past 10 seasons and each time were eliminated in the first round.