Panthers wander through the jungle, crushing the dry leaves that have fallen from the trees with their paws. Well, on the ice at the Scotiabank Arena this past Sunday, things looked pretty much the same. The Florida Panthers really took it to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, finishing with a score of 6-1 by the end of the third period. But as if losing the game at home rink wasn’t enough of a bummer.

Fans, feeling pretty frustrated, showed their disappointment by tossing beers and jerseys onto the ice, aiming right at the Maple Leafs’ bench. The scenes were totally wild! It really showed how the Florida Panthers consisting of star players like Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, etc, can completely dismantle a franchise, and the Maple Leafs were just their fourth victim. It looks like the other three teams have already been taken down by these hungry Panthers.

From Boston to Toronto, no one was safe from the Florida Panthers

During the 2023 playoffs, the Panthers pulled off an incredible comeback against the Boston Bruins. They managed to turn around a 3-1 series deficit and clinched the win in overtime during Game 7, which is considered one of the biggest upsets in NHL history. This loss really hit the Bruins hard, especially since they had just set a record for the most wins in the regular season. The loss led to their captain, Patrice Bergeron, retiring, and kicking off a new chapter for the team.

The next season, the Panthers took out the Bruins again in the second round of the playoffs, wrapping up the series in six games. The Bruins faced a tough regular season this time around, which meant they missed the playoffs for the first time in quite a while. It looks like they’re gearing up for a rebuilding phase now. So, it really got to a point where the Bruins ended up trading their star captain, Brad Marchand, who had been with the franchise for 16 years, to the Panthers. That was really harsh!

The next target was the New York Rangers. The Rangers clinched the Presidents’ Trophy with an impressive 114 points during the regular season, but unfortunately, they were knocked out by the Panthers in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final. That loss was a tough blow for a team that really had high hopes. During the 2024-25 season, the Rangers didn’t make it to the playoffs, which is the first time they’ve missed out since the 2020-21 season.

This big drop in performance got everyone talking about shaking up the roster and making some changes in the organization to get back in the game. Like? Well, they fired their coach Peter Laviolette.

The Panthers really took charge against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Many experts, including NBA legend Charles Barkley, thought Tampa Bay would move forward, but the Panthers didn’t get taken down by the Bolts. But they had been through this with the Lightning before.

Last year, they knocked out Tampa Bay in Round 1, which ultimately led to the Lightning captain Steven Stamkos leaving the franchise. Their playoff wins have really put them at the top of the NHL, and they’ve definitely shaken things up for other franchises along the way. The way they keep outperforming and outsmarting the best teams has really made other teams rethink and sometimes completely change their strategies, leadership, and player lineups. It just shows how much the Panthers are shaking things up in the league. So, who are the standout players that make up this impressive lineup?

The stars that make this NHL team brutal

This season, the Florida Panthers have really shone, thanks to some impressive performances from key players. They’re definitely proving to be a strong contender in the NHL. Captain Aleksander Barkov is still a key player for the team, racking up 71 points in 67 games and snagging a nomination for the Selke Trophy thanks to his outstanding two-way play. Sam Reinhart has really made a name for himself as a scorer this season, racking up 39 goals and 81 points in 79 games. This comes right after his impressive franchise-record 57-goal season and that big eight-year, $69 million contract extension he signed.

Matthew Tkachuk, who’s really known for his tough play and scoring skills, racked up 88 points last season and is still a key player on the ice. Veteran Brad Marchand, who came over from the Boston Bruins, has really stepped up with his leadership and playoff know-how. He made a big impact in the crucial Game 7 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring a goal and adding two assists.

Defenseman Gustav Forsling has really made a difference on the blue line, showing off an impressive league-best +56 rating last season. Sergei Bobrovsky has really stepped up in goal, hitting his 400th career win and being a big part of the team’s solid defense. Emerging talents such as Anton Lundell, who just landed a six-year, $30 million contract extension, along with Eetu Luostarinen, have really stepped up and shown what they can do. This really emphasizes the Panthers’ depth and the exciting future ahead.