Florida Panthers Reach Stanley Cup Final
In a thrilling conclusion at the Lenovo Center on Wednesday night, the Florida Panthers clinched their place in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive time, overcoming the Carolina Hurricanes with a scoreline of 5-3 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. As the crowd erupted in celebration, players were showered with hats, and the Prince of Wales Trophy was proudly showcased on the ice.
Key Players Celebrating the Victory
Five players with previous ties to the New Jersey Devils – Jesper Boqvist, AJ Greer, Dmitry Kulikov, Tomas Nosek, and Vitek Vanecek – were among those celebrating this historic moment for the Panthers, who are now gearing up to challenge either the Edmonton Oilers or the Dallas Stars for the championship title.
Player Highlights
Jesper Boqvist, now 26, was originally drafted by the Devils in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft and spent his first 189 games in the NHL donning their jersey. However, after not receiving a qualifying offer following the 2022-23 season, Boqvist transitioned to the Boston Bruins on a one-year deal. Despite a season filled with ups and downs, he signed with the Panthers, successfully participating in 78 regular season games and made a notable playoff appearance in 11 games.
AJ Greer, who stands at 6’3” and weighs 209 pounds, also spent a significant amount of his early career within the Devils’ organization, primarily in the AHL, before moving on to the Bruins. After a stint with the Calgary Flames, Greer signed with the Panthers and has since found his stride in the NHL.
Dmitry Kulikov had a brief stint with New Jersey, appearing in just 38 games before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers during the 2020-21 season. He achieved Stanley Cup glory with the Panthers last season, further solidifying his impact on the team.
Veteran forward Tomas Nosek faced challenges due to injuries while with the Devils, playing only 36 games before opting for a new chapter with the Panthers.
Meanwhile, goaltender Vitek Vanecek significantly contributed during his time with New Jersey, starting 77 games over two seasons, before being traded to the Panthers in March 2025.
Looking Ahead
With their eyes set on the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers now await confirmation on their opponents, as the Oilers possess a 3-1 advantage in their series against the Stars. For avid fans looking to keep up with the latest on the New Jersey Devils and all NHL news, be sure to check in with THN for exclusive insights, interviews, and in-depth analysis.
