We are about sixty hours away from Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
Led by the stellar of two-way play of Gustav Forsling, Florida’s defense has been a tough nut to crack this postseason. The Panthers have only allowed a total of 40 goals (including two-empty netters) in 17 games during the playoffs.
Forsling leads Florida’s defensemen in both goals (4), assists (7) and points. His 11 points is sixth best on the team and his +11-rating is second-best in the NHL.
The man ahead of Forsling in plus/minus is Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, who comes into the final series with a +14-rating. Bouchard also leads in league in scoring by a defenseman with 27 points (6G/21A), a total that has him third in the postseason scoring race, behind teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Kelly Cup
The Florida Everblades exploded for five goals over the final 30 minutes to erase a two-goal deficit and post a 6-3 win over the visiting Kansas City Mavericks in Game 3 of the 2024 Kelly Cup Finals in front of 6,744 fans at Hertz Arena. Florida now leads the series two games to one. Oliver Chau notched a hat trick, Logan Lambdin scored twice and Mark Senden also lit the lamp.