The Tampa Bay Lightning may be long gone, but the Eastern Conference will be represented by a team from the American southeast in the Stanley Cup Final once again.
Although the Carolina Hurricanes were favoured to make it this far after winning the Metropolitan Division, the same can't be said for the Florida Panthers — who surprised the world by escaping the loaded Atlantic.
The Panthers have been characterized as the team of destiny while the Hurricanes are a group that is hoping to get over the hump after none of its solid playoff runs in recent years have resulted in a championship.