Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov expressed his excitement about reaching the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final and sent a message to either Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers or Mikko Rantanen’s Dallas Stars,

But in an era of Hurricanes hockey that has been and may continue to be defined by widespread perception that they’re lacking a sixth gear, or a knob that turns to 11, or the type of high-end talent necessary to advance to conference finals and then continue to climb,

The Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year, and Aleksander Barkov ’s impressive individual effort set up the high-probability shot attempt that resulted in Carter Verhaeghe ’s series-clinching goal.

I’d say it had to be Carter Verhaeghe, and in fact it was, but to give him the full credit for yet another heartbreaking playoff goal would obscure the effort of Aleksander Barkov, who deserves the majority of the applause for the late game-winner in the Panthers’ series clincher against the Hurricanes.

Aleksander Barkov is known for his calm leadership and elite hockey skills. But away from the ice, his lifestyle shows a quieter, focused path shaped

Perhaps the most discouraging part for the Hurricanes is they look out of answers. Coaches and teams make adjustments throughout a best-of-seven series, but the Panthers seem like an unanswerable riddle for the Hurricanes. What more can head coach Rod Brind’Amour do to get his team back into this series?