Panthers and Golden Knights Facing Early Playoff Hurdles
The paths to Stanley Cup glory are rarely smooth, and the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights, champions of the previous two seasons, are learning that lesson firsthand in the 2025 playoffs. Both teams find themselves down 2-0 in their respective second-round series, putting them in precarious positions as they return home to face their opponents. The Panthers, reigning champions after their 2024 triumph, are battling the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Golden Knights, who lifted the Cup in 2023, are locked in a fierce contest with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Edmonton Oilers secured their second victory in Las Vegas on Thursday night, clinching a 5-4 overtime win against the Golden Knights. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs capitalized on home-ice advantage, securing both of their opening games on home ice.
The Panthers will host the Maple Leafs on Friday night, desperate to claw their way back into the series. Simultaneously, the Golden Knights will attempt to reverse their fortunes when they visit the Oilers on Saturday night.
The question on everyone’s mind is: are the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights in serious trouble?
USA TODAY recently analyzed the situations, highlighting both the challenges and potential paths to recovery for the two reigning champions. While the situation is far from ideal for either team, a glimmer of hope remains. The Panthers, for instance, overcame a 2-0 series deficit in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, demonstrating their resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure.
However, adjustments are clearly needed. Panthers forward Anton Lundell emphasized the importance of limiting Toronto’s chances off the rush. "I think we need to play a little bit inside of them," Lundell told reporters. "We know they want to stretch out, play quick. We need to be aware of that and know where they are at all times."
The Maple Leafs have also displayed a knack for quick responses, negating Panthers goals with swift counterattacks. In Game 1, Morgan Rielly scored a mere 19 seconds after Seth Jones narrowed Florida’s deficit to 2-1. Similarly, in Game 2, Mitch Marner restored Toronto’s lead just 17 seconds after Lundell had tied the game. This immediate response capability from the Maple Leafs is something the Panthers need to curtail.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, typically a stalwart presence in net, has uncharacteristically conceded nine goals on 50 shots in the series. Despite this, the team remains steadfast in their support for their goaltender. "Our confidence (in Bobrovsky) is never wavering," forward Sam Reinhart affirmed. "We feel we’ve got the best goalie in the world back there. Our job is to make it as easy as possible for him. I think we can do a better job of that."
The Golden Knights’ predicament is arguably more precarious, given that they must try to win in Edmonton, where the Oilers have been dominant, boasting a 3-0 record at home this postseason.
The Edmonton Oilers are riding a wave of confidence, fueled by a remarkable streak of six consecutive comeback wins, setting a new NHL record. This demonstrates their resilience and ability to overcome adversity, making them a formidable opponent on their home ice.
While the Golden Knights have shown flashes of brilliance, they have struggled to maintain consistency throughout their games. They did overcome a 2-0 deficit in the 2021 playoffs, but the current circumstances present a different set of challenges.
In Game 2, the Golden Knights appeared to have the upper hand initially, with Alex Pietrangelo’s return to the lineup after an illness providing a boost to the team. They controlled the early stages of the game, but goalie Calvin Pickard managed to limit Vegas to just one goal before the Oilers unleashed a flurry of three goals in under six minutes.
Despite the setback, the Golden Knights demonstrated their fighting spirit by eventually tying the game at 4-4 and successfully killing off a five-minute major penalty in overtime after Nicolas Roy cross-checked Trent Frederic in the face.
However, the Oilers ultimately prevailed in overtime, with Connor McDavid setting up Leon Draisaitl for the game-winning goal at 15:20. Notably, these were their first points of the game, highlighting the Oilers’ ability to find success even when their star players are contained.
One of the underlying concerns for the Golden Knights is the performance of their depth players. The Oilers’ depth players have contributed significantly to their success, exposing an issue because the Golden Knights were widely regarded as the deeper team. This suggests that the Golden Knights need to get more offensive production from their secondary scoring lines.
Adding to their woes, Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb suffered an injury after crashing hard into the boards following a trip in overtime. Coach Bruce Cassidy expressed his frustration over the lack of a call on what he deemed a "dangerous play" and had no postgame update on McNabb’s status, leaving the team uncertain about his availability moving forward.
Both the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights face significant challenges as they attempt to overturn their 2-0 series deficits. The Panthers must find a way to limit Toronto’s offensive opportunities and provide better support for Bobrovsky, while the Golden Knights need to improve their depth scoring, tighten up defensively, and hope for a positive update on McNabb’s injury.
The road ahead will be difficult, but both teams have the talent and experience to mount a comeback. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether these two former champions can keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.
