If you’re asking "did the Florida Panthers win," you're likely looking for that one specific, glorious answer that changed the franchise forever in 2024. Yes. They did. They finally climbed the mountain. But honestly, the way it happened was pure, unadulterated chaos that nearly broke the spirit of every hockey fan in South Florida.
Winning a championship in the NHL is never easy. It’s a grind. It’s bruises, missing teeth, and playing through broken bones that would put a normal person in the hospital for a week. For the Panthers, the 2023-24 season wasn't just about winning a trophy; it was about erasing decades of being the "other" team in a market dominated by the Dolphins and the Heat. They didn't just win; they survived one of the most stressful collapses—and subsequent rescues—in the history of professional sports.
The Night Everything Changed: Game 7 Glory
The date was June 24, 2024. Amerant Bank Arena was vibrating. Literally. If you weren't there, it’s hard to describe the tension in the air. It felt heavy. The Panthers were facing the Edmonton Oilers in a winner-take-all Game 7.
Now, context matters here. Florida had been up 3-0 in the series. They were coasting. Everyone thought it was over. Then, suddenly, it wasn't. Edmonton, led by the generational talent of Connor McDavid, stormed back to tie the series 3-3. The "Reverse Sweep" was a terrifyingly real possibility. People were already calling it the greatest choke in NHL history.
Then came the game.
Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring early, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. But Edmonton answered fast. Mattias Janmark tied it up. The game sat on a knife's edge for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Sam Reinhart—who had a career year—sniped a shot in the second period to make it 2-1.
The third period was essentially twenty minutes of fans holding their breath until their faces turned blue. Sergei Bobrovsky, the man they call "Bob," turned into a brick wall. He was everywhere. He stopped 23 of 24 shots. When the final horn sounded, the relief was more palpable than the joy. The Florida Panthers had won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
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Why This Win Was Different
Florida isn't exactly a "traditional" hockey market. Critics have spent years saying hockey doesn't belong in the subtropics. This win shut them up.
It wasn't just a lucky run. The front office, led by General Manager Bill Zito, built this team with a specific "grit-first" philosophy. They traded for Matthew Tkachuk in a blockbuster move that shocked the league. They brought in Paul Maurice, a coach who had the most losses in NHL history but also a wealth of wisdom that this specific locker room needed.
The Tkachuk Factor
You can't talk about the Panthers winning without talking about Matthew Tkachuk. He changed the DNA of the team. Before he arrived, Florida was a high-scoring, "soft" team that disappeared in the playoffs. Tkachuk brought an edge. He’s the guy you hate to play against but would give anything to have on your roster. His presence allowed guys like Aleksander Barkov—the captain and arguably the best two-way center in the world—to play his game without carrying the entire emotional load of the franchise.
The Road Through the East
The path to the finals was a gauntlet.
- They handled the Tampa Bay Lightning, their cross-state rivals, in five games.
- They took down the Boston Bruins in a physical six-game series.
- They outlasted the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
By the time they reached the Stanley Cup Finals, they were battered. But they were ready.
Breaking Down the 3-0 Scare
Wait, we have to talk about the collapse. Or the near-collapse.
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After winning the first three games against Edmonton, the Panthers looked invincible. Bobrovsky looked like he was playing a different sport. Then, Game 4 happened. An 8-1 blowout. It was ugly. Then Game 5 went to the Oilers. Then Game 6.
The narrative shifted instantly. "The Panthers are old." "The Oilers have the momentum." "McDavid is inevitable."
The fact that Florida was able to block out the noise and win Game 7 is a testament to their mental toughness. Paul Maurice famously kept the locker room loose, focusing on the "opportunity" rather than the fear of losing. It worked. Barely. But it worked.
Key Players Who Made It Happen
While the big names get the headlines, championship teams are built on the backs of guys who do the dirty work.
Aleksander Barkov
The first Finnish captain to lift the Stanley Cup. He’s the heart of the team. Watching him shut down some of the best scorers in the league while still putting up points is a masterclass in hockey IQ.
Sergei Bobrovsky
There were times in previous years when people thought Bobrovsky’s $10 million-a-year contract was the worst in the league. Nobody says that now. His performance in the 2024 playoffs, particularly in the first three games of the finals and the entirety of Game 7, secured his legacy.
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Gustav Forsling
Maybe the best waiver-wire pickup in the history of the NHL. He went from being let go by other teams to becoming a top-pair defenseman who can skate like the wind and shut down elite talent.
Sam Bennett
The "playoff" version of Sam Bennett is a different human being. He hits everything that moves. He’s the type of player who wins you championships because he makes the other team miserable for 60 minutes.
What Happens Next for the Panthers?
Winning the Cup changes a franchise's trajectory. It’s no longer about "making the playoffs." It’s about becoming a dynasty.
The Panthers enter the 2025 and 2026 seasons as the hunted. Their roster has seen some changes due to the salary cap—as all winning teams do—but the core remains incredibly strong. The culture is set. They know what it takes to win 16 games in the postseason.
If you're wondering "did the Florida Panthers win" in the sense of their current standing, they remain one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. The window for this team is wide open. They’ve proven they can handle the pressure of a Game 7. They’ve proven they can handle a legendary comeback attempt.
How to Follow the Team Moving Forward
If you're a new fan or someone jumping on the bandwagon (which is totally fine, by the way), here is what you should do to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Rivalries: Keep an eye on games against Tampa Bay and Boston. These are always high-intensity and usually physical.
- Track the Advanced Stats: The Panthers are a "possession" team. They love to dump the puck in and retrieve it. Look at "Corsi" and "Expected Goals" (xG) metrics to see if they are actually outplaying teams or just getting lucky.
- Attend a Game in Sunrise: The atmosphere at Amerant Bank Arena has completely transformed. It’s loud, it’s passionate, and yes, there are still rubber rats.
- Follow the Salary Cap: In the NHL, the biggest enemy of a champion is the cap. Watch how Bill Zito manages the contracts of guys like Carter Verhaeghe and the younger defensive corps.
The Florida Panthers didn't just win a trophy; they changed the sports landscape in Florida. They proved that grit, smart management, and a world-class goaltender can overcome even the most terrifying momentum shifts. They are the 2024 Stanley Cup Champions, and that is a fact that will stay in the rafters forever.
To get the most out of following the defending champs, start by tracking their road performance. Championship hangovers are real, and seeing how they play in back-to-back situations on the road will tell you everything you need to know about their chances for a repeat. Pay close attention to the development of Anton Lundell; his growth into a top-tier second-line center is the key to their long-term dominance. Check the official NHL standings and local Florida sports broadcasts like Bally Sports Florida for real-time updates on their pursuit of another title.