The Florida Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships highlighted the blueprint for playoff success: depth, consistency, and bold in-season moves. The Washington Capitals, despite finishing atop the East in the regular season, fell short in the second round. Watching Florida dominate underscores what the Caps must improve—third-line stability, blue-line depth, and perhaps a more aggressive trade deadline approach. Consistency in identity and execution, as exemplified by Florida, could be the key for D.C. to reach the next level.

On the individual front, Connor McMichael broke out with a career-best 57 points, showing elite net-driving and offensive potential, but still has room to grow defensively. Meanwhile, Brandon Duhaime quietly emerged as a fan-favorite glue guy, anchoring the fourth line with defensive reliability, playoff poise, and unmatched locker room energy. While McMichael may soon be a 30-goal scorer, Duhaime's future hinges on whether his vibes and shutdown ability outweigh his limited offensive output.

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