The Florida Panthers have officially punched their ticket to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday night, the Panthers had an opportunity to clinch a spot in the postseason if both the Buffalo Sabres lost and the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in regulation.

The Sabres last minute run to the playoffs was ended by a dominating 6-2 win by the New Jersey Devils.

With the Sabres eliminated from playoff contention, Florida turned to Pittsburgh, where the last placed Chicago Blackhawks needed to beat the Penguins in regulation for Florida to get their playoff spot.

The Blackhawks did the Panthers a favor, defeating the Penguins 5-2, officially putting the Panthers in the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Florida still does not know if they’ll finish in Wild Card 1 or Wild Card 2 – but the fight to get into the playoffs is now completed.

The Panthers turned around an 0-4 record from two weeks ago into a 6-0-1 streak to climb back into the playoff race.

Florida will finish the regular season on Thursday night in Sunrise against the Carolina Hurricanes, who may also end up being their first-round playoff opponent.

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