Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Why Panthers Fell Flat in Game 4; Sharks’ Advantage

The Stanley Cup was in the building. The Florida Panthers had a chance to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. They could have been the first team to register a sweep in the SCF since the Detroit Red Wings did it against the Washington Capitals in 1998.
Instead, Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky wasn’t as sharp. The Panthers’ offense wasn’t as impressive. And the team’s impressive defensive coverage was absent.
“Florida’s usually gridlocked defenses loosened up and it opened up the dam for Connor McDavid & Co. to run the Panthers — and the Stanley Cup — out of their building,” FHN’s Colby Guy wrote.
The question is whether the Panthers lost their focus, perhaps caught up in the excitement of anticipated success.
“The Cup is going to be in the building at some point anyway, so we have to be ready for that,” captain Sasha Barkov said. “And I don’t think it was a distraction for us. I don’t think so.”
"Not a lot of silver linings here people. Bob got some rest. We'll take that."
Paul Maurice on the Panthers' 8-1 defeat in Game 4. pic.twitter.com/jCvX5wK9eP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2024
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