Despite their struggles as a franchise for years, the Florida Panthers miraculously turned things around and embarked on a sensational postseason journey last season. They beat the dominant Boston Bruins, who had clinched the Presidents’ Trophy in a record-breaking fashion. The Cats continued their triumphant march by knocking over the formidable 13-time champion Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the Metropolitan table-topping Carolina Hurricanes. As a result, they secured their first Stanley Cup finals appearance in almost three decades.
Regrettably, their hopes of lifting the coveted trophy were shattered by the Vegas Golden Knights. Nonetheless, the Panthers have managed to begin the 2023/24 season with an equally impressive performance. But it’s not just the Floridian team that has defied expectations and achieved greatness in the postseason. There are two other remarkable teams that have accomplished the same feat in recent years.
Los Angeles Kings
12 years ago, the Kings barely snagged the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. This year, they have started in a somewhat better place, and hockey odds providers have made them the joint sixth favourites for glory. But that didn’t stop them back then, and they will hope it doesn’t this term.
They went on a rampage by going an unbelievable 16-4 in the playoffs. They crushed the Vancouver Canucks in a swift five-game series and then swept the St. Louis Blues right after. In the conference finals, they took down the Phoenix Coyotes in just five games, punching their ticket to the Finals.
And who did they face there? The New Jersey Devils, a team that shocked everyone as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately for them, the fairytale ended there, as the SoCal side triumphed in six games. Rookie netminder Jonathan Quick was an absolute beast in goal. And let’s not forget about the Kings’ stars: Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Drew Doughty. They delivered their A-game when it mattered the most.
Montreal Canadiens
Three years ago, the Montreal Canadiens marched into the playoffs as the fourth seed in the North Division. Despite boasting an impressive 24-time championship record, the Habs hadn’t tasted Stanley Cup victory since way back in 1993. Needless to say, they weren’t the hot favourites to win it all.
But they defied and defeated their fellow Canadians, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in a thrilling seven-game series to make a statement to the rest of the postseason contenders. In the second round, they pulled off a stunning broom trick by sweeping aside another compatriot, the Winnipeg Jets.
The Quebec side went on to dismantle the mighty President’s Trophy-winning Vegas Golden Knights in six games during the semifinals. That landed them right smack in the Stanley Cup finals. The stage was set for an epic showdown against the reigning champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Unfortunately, the Sunshine State squad proved to be a tough nut to crack, triumphing in four out of the five games played. It wasn’t the outcome the Canadiens were hoping for, but their valiant effort cannot be denied. Carey Price was a brick wall between the sticks and his teammates did their utmost to provide the firepower needed to propel Montreal to the promised land… almost.
