The Florida Panthers' Game 5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center has now put the team in historic territory.
After years of head coach changes, a 26-year playoff series drought, and even logo adjustments, the Paul Maurice-led Panthers will represent the Eastern Conference for a third straight season, as they open their Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Looking to crown themselves Stanley Cup champions for a second straight June, the Panthers walked out of Raleigh as the first team since the NHL expanded to an 82-game season in 1995-96 to reach the Stanley Cup Final three years in a row.
All of the credit not only goes to Maurice, but president of hockey operations/general manager Bill Zito, who replaced interim head coach Andrew Brunette with Maurice after the Panthers were swept in their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Later on, the Panthers dealt Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, a first-round pick, and prospect Cole Schwindt to the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Matthew Tkachuk and a mid-round draft pick.