NHL World Reacts After Panthers Sweep Hurricanes, Clinch Stanley Cup Final Berth
The Panthers continued their stunning run through the Stanley Cup playoffs on Wednesday, successfully sweeping the Hurricanes courtesy of more late-game heroics from superstar forward Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk cemented his place in Florida hockey lore, having scored three game-winning goals in the series, including one on Wednesday night with less than five seconds remaining in regulation.
The four-game sweep clinched the Panthers their first Stanley Cup Final berth in 27 years. Their feat is even more impressive considering their path to the Final after sneaking into the postseason as the No. 8 seed in the East.
Since then, the Panthers have defeated the Bruins, who were fresh off setting an NHL record for most wins and points in a single season, a loaded Maple Leafs squad, and the No. 2 seed Hurricanes.
NHL Twitter was in awe over the performance of Tkachuk and the Panthers, who are four wins away from one of the most improbable Stanley Cup Final victories in recent memory.
The Panthers wasted no time lifting the Prince of Wales Trophy, clearly not worried about any superstitions amid their miracle run.