Florida isn't known as a hockey hotbed, but the sport continues to grow in the state. The NHL is becoming more and more popular in the south, thanks to the success of the franchises located in the region.
One team that was looking to establish itself as a champion was the Panthers. Now, the club are Stanley Cup champs.
The Panthers defeated the Oilers in seven games, winning the 2024 championship in the NHL. After building a 3-0 series lead, Edmonton fought back to force a winner-take-all Game 7, but Florida would not be denied their first title.
Florida does not have a ton of extensive experience playing in the postseason. Since joining the league in 1993, the Panthers have missed the playoffs more often than not, but that doesn't matter anymore now.
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The Sporting News takes a look at the Panthers' complete playoff history.
When was the last time the Panthers won the Stanley Cup?
The Panthers had never won a Stanley Cup before 2024. They now officially have their name in the history books as champions.
The list of NHL clubs that never have hoisted hockey's most coveted trophy now is at 10, with the Panthers' name crossed off the list. The Coyotes, Sabres, Blue Jackets, Wild, Predators, Sharks, Jets, Senators, Canucks, and Kraken have never won a championship in NHL history.
When was the last time the Panthers played in the Stanley Cup Final?
The Panthers returned to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row in 2024.
In 2023, the Panthers made a Cinderella-like run to the finals series. After sneaking in as the second wild-card team, the Panthers knocked off the record-setting Bruins, the Maple Leafs and the Hurricanes before falling to the Golden Knights.
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2024 was their third time playing for a championship.
The first came in 1996 when the Panthers faced off against the Avalanche. Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck carried the team in what was dubbed the Year of the Rat, bringing the third-year expansion club to the finals. However, Colorado swept Florida in four games to win the Stanley Cup.
Panthers Stanley Cup playoff history
The Panthers' playoff history is not very extensive.
Florida has won more series (six) during its 1996 and 2023 runs to the Stanley Cup Final than every other season combined (one). The club's first-round series win against the Capitals in 2022 was the franchise's first since 1996.
Here is a complete look at the Panthers' playoff history.
| Season | Result |
| 2023-24 | Won Stanley Cup Final |
| 2022-23 | Lost in Stanley Cup Final |
| 2021-22 | Lost in Second Round |
| 2020-21 | Lost in First Round |
| 2019-20 | Lost in Qualifying Round |
| 2018-19 | Did not qualify |
| 2017-18 | Did not qualify |
| 2016-17 | Did not qualify |
| 2015-16 | Lost in First Round |
| 2014-15 | Did not qualify |
| 2013-14 | Did not qualify |
| 2012-13 | Did not qualify |
| 2011-12 | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals |
| 2010-11 | Did not qualify |
| 2009-10 | Did not qualify |
| 2008-09 | Did not qualify |
| 2007-08 | Did not qualify |
| 2006-07 | Did not qualify |
| 2005-06 | Did not qualify |
| 2004-05 | Season canceled due to lockout |
| 2003-04 | Did not qualify |
| 2002-03 | Did not qualify |
| 2001-02 | Did not qualify |
| 2000-01 | Did not qualify |
| 1999-00 | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals |
| 1998-99 | Did not qualify |
| 1997-98 | Did not qualify |
| 1996-97 | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals |
| 1995-96 | Lost in Stanley Cup Final |
| 1994-95 | Did not qualify |
| 1993-94 | Did not qualify |