Exploring the Latest News and Updates from the NHL: Morning Skate for June 8

Hoping to celebrate the anniversary of the first-ever Stanley Cup Final game played in the state, the Florida Panthers return to home ice with the daunting task of clawing their way back against the Vegas Golden Knights to win their franchise’s first-ever title. Despite trailing two games in the championship series, the Panthers have made a habit of rallying from deficits, which can be attributed to their strong postseason experience and skill. However, the Golden Knights remain the team to beat after showcasing their scoring prowess with 12 goals through the first two games against the Panthers.

Panthers Look to Rally and Make History

The Florida Panthers entered this year’s playoffs with a chip on their shoulder, determined to make their first-ever championship run, and their resilience has been on full display throughout the playoffs. In the first round, the Panthers rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against the 65-win Bruins. They followed that up in the second round by defeating the defending champion Lightning. They are now looking to become the fifth team in NHL history to win multiple best-of-seven series in one year after facing a multi-game deficit in each.

The Panthers will need to call on their experience of overcoming multi-game deficits in previous rounds to defeat the Golden Knights. Brandon Montour, Marc Staal, and Eric Staal have all won a best-of-seven series under similar conditions, and their experience can help the Panthers rally and make history.

Golden Knights Look to Capitalize on Strong Offense and Goaltending

The Vegas Golden Knights have had an outstanding playoff run, with their impressive scoring and goaltending leading to them taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. The Golden Knights have outclassed the Panthers offensively, with Jonathan Marchessault leading the team with 12 goals, and Jack Eichel not far behind with 6. The Golden Knights will look to continue their impressive scoring in the upcoming games and take home their first Stanley Cup title.

While the Golden Knights’ offensive prowess has led to their success so far, Adin Hill’s goaltending has also been a key factor. Hill has been a standout in the crease, with .930 save percentage or higher in his past two Stanley Cup Final performances. Hill’s performance has led to comparisons with Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Patrick Roy, who achieved 10 playoff wins in fewer than 14 games and helped their teams win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The Scouting Update

Meanwhile, over 100 of the top prospects for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft are currently in Buffalo, N.Y. for the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas, where they will be partaking in team and media interviews, fitness testing, and more. The event has returned to KeyBank Center and HarborCenter, with fitness testing set to occur on Saturday.

One prospect who may not be available for the draft is Adam Fantilli, who has stated that he could return to Michigan for his sophomore season. Connor Bedard, touted as the likely No. 1 pick, has also stated that he plans to work on his net-front scoring this offseason.

Final Thoughts

As the Florida Panthers hope to make history by winning their franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup, the Vegas Golden Knights are looking to clinch their first title while maintaining their impressive offensive and goaltending form. The series may be at 2-0, but it is far from over, and the Panthers will need to rally once again to make history. Fans can watch live coverage of Game 3 of the series on Thursday, June 8th, at 8 p.m. ET.

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