NOTEBOOK: Panthers ready to hit the road for Game 1 of SCF against Vegas

Practice 5/31/23

By Jameson Olive

@JamesonCoop FloridaPanthers.com

May 31, 2023

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers had a little extra jump during this morning's practice.

Hitting the ice at FLA Live Arena one last time before boarding their flight to Las Vegas on Thursday, the Cats have quickly gone from resting to ramping up for the Stanley Cup Final.

"There's an excitement now," head coach Paul Maurice said. "They're looking forward to getting on the road and to just get going. They've kind of been here for a while now. The ice was good today and two days ago. They're enthusiastic about being out there, lots of jump."

By the time the puck drops for Game 1 of their best-of-7 series against the Golden Knights on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, it will have been 10 days since the Panthers last played a game.

Florida cruised into the Stanley Cup Final after completing their four-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes on May 24, while Vegas, which is back in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in six seasons, closed out the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of its series on May 29.

While there can be a risk of rust building up with that long of a break, the Cats aren't concerned.

After all, they've worked their whole lives to get into this position.

They're all ready to embrace this dream come true.

"We've been doing good at being so even-keeled," defenseman Josh Mahura said. "I'm sure it'll settle in once we get on the road and stuff like that. You dream of playing in the Stanley Cup Final. To know that it's right around the corner is not only exciting for all of us, but for our families, too. Everyone's enjoying it. There's a job at hand. We're just excited to get going here."

The lower-seeded team for the fourth straight series, the Panthers, who took down three of the top-four teams from the regular-season en route to their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1996, have enjoyed starting things out on the road throughout their impressive postseason run.

Going 8-1 on the road thus far, they've outscored the opposition 30-21 in those games. In Round 1 against the Bruins, they won Game 2 to head home with a 1-1 series split. In Round 2 against Toronto and Round 3 against Carolina, they opened both series with two massive road wins.

Since losing to the Bruins in Game 1 of Round 1, they've won eight straight road games.

Heading into another tough building, the Panthers are ready to make themselves at home again.

"We've played in some really hostile environments," forward Nick Cousins said. "That's only going to benefit us when we get there. We know they're good at home. They have lots of energy in the building and it's a fun atmosphere to play in. We're going to be ready, for sure."

WATCH PARTY IN SUNRISE

The Panthers will be on the road, but the party will be in Sunrise.

For Game 1 on Saturday, June 3 and Game 2 on Monday, June 5 of the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas, the Panthers will be hosting their official watch parties at FLA Live Arena. With puck drop scheduled for both contests at 8 p.m. ET, doors will open for the parties at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can purchase $10 general admission tickets for Game 1 here and Game 2 here.

With a ticket, fans will receive free parking and can also enjoy discounted food and beverage, receive access to Pantherland to purchase gear, hang out with mascots and more. Supporting a very good cause, proceeds from the watch parties will benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation.

To learn more, click here.