“I wasn’t ready to stop playing hockey.”
Safe to say Sam Bennett summed things up perfectly during Game 7 in Toronto.
After taking down the Maple Leafs in a wild seven-game series, the Florida Panthers will continue their quest for a second straight Stanley Cup when they face-off against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, starting with Game 1 on Tuesday.
In 2023, the Panthers swept the Hurricanes to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
“I think the only difference is what we’ve gone through and having that experience to rely on,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said of the impending rematch. “There’s really not much different with us. We’re still goofing around, having fun, joking all the time. But when it’s time to put those work boots on, I don’t think there’s a team that works harder.”
While the Panthers will start the series on the road, there’s still a party in South Florida.
To see what’s going on around the Territory this week and beyond, continue below.
THE GAMES
Tuesday, May 20: at Carolina Hurricanes – 8 p.m. ET
- **TV & Streaming**: TNT, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
- Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 92.1 WZZR-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); Panthers App; SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 931
- Watch Party: Funky Buddha Brewery
Thursday, May 22: at Carolina Hurricanes – 8 p.m. ET
- **TV & Streaming**: TNT, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
- Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 92.1 WZZR-FM & 1230 WBZT-AM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); Panthers App; SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 931
- Watch Party: FTL War Memorial
Saturday, May 24: at Carolina Hurricanes – 8 p.m. ET
- **TV & Streaming**: TNT, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
- Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 92.1 WZZR-FM & 1230 WBZT-AM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); Panthers App; SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 931
- Tickets: Click Here
WATCH PARTIES
Grab your jersey and get ready to party this week.
For Game 1 on Tuesday, fans can head to Funky Buddha Brewery to enjoy drinks, food, special appearances and more.
For Game 2 on Thursday, the party will be even bigger at FTL War Memorial.
The first official Panthers watch party at the newest concert venue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, doors will open to the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. for a live band performance
After that, fans can enjoy pregame show at 7:30 p.m. before the and 8 p.m. puck drop.
For more information on both watch parties, click HERE.
THIRD LINE SHINES
As it has been all playoffs, the third line is on another level for the Panthers.
Through two rounds, Anton Lundell, Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen have combined for 34 points, with Luostarinen and Marchand tied for the team lead with 12 points each.
At 5-on-5, the line boasts a 60.26 shared of expected goals, per NaturalStatTrick.com.
“Their line has been unbelievable all playoffs,” forward Carter Verhaeghe said. “They’re scoring big goals, they’re playing tough minutes and the best players, and it’s so nice to see. It takes pressure off everyone else in the goal-scoring department and stuff like that.”
Not just piling up points, the line is also bringing the body.
Heading into the Eastern Conference Final, Luostarinen ranks second on the team with 63 hits, while Marchand (19 hits) and Lundell (15 hits) have also been getting very physical.
They’ve also combined for 31 blocked shots.
“We just want to keep going and keep the pressure on,” Luostarinen said.
ECF PREVIEW
Watch below as Goldie and Randy get everyone ready for Panthers vs. Hurricanes.
