Three consecutive presences in the final, two Stanley cups in a row and a brand new five -year contract. Sylvain Lefebvre likes well among Florida panthers. And it is there for a long time.
The assistant coach of the panthers still struggles to believe it, three days after raising the Stanley Cup for the second time in two seasons.
A second Stanley Cup for the NHL former from Richmond as a coach, and a third in total, if we add the one he won with the Avalanche du Colorado in 1996.
“It’s a bit crazy! I have bruises on my arms so much I pinch myself! I’m starting to measure it all. I watch the videos of the final and that’s where you say to yourself: well let’s see, what just happened? I’ve only been here for three years, and I would never have thought of participating in the final three years in a row and win two in a row! He said through a smile.
The panthers recipe works. Even if the ingredients have changed a little, since their conquest of 2024.
“We don’t play a game Fine, we play physical, and not just a period or a match from time to time. That’s always it. And we knew we could do it for seven games in the final if it was needed. Few teams can keep this pace. This is a whole feat on the part of our players, ”says Lefebvre.
Photo provided by Florida Panthers
The whole family of Sylvain Lefebvre was in Sunrise, Florida, for the victory of the Panthers, after the sixth game of the final.
Winning the Stanley Cup in the NHL today, with parity and the salary ceiling, is already a feat. Winning the title two seasons in a row is even rarer.
“Throughout the season, all the teams want to beat the Stanley Cup champions. We become the barometer of other teams. And the people of these organizations told us: we played our best match of the year against you, “says Lefebvre.
“This is what makes the two consecutive victories even more difficult. Even if we fought well against Toronto, we knew that we had little chance of winning our division. But we knew that we were playing well on the road and that is important, once arrived in series. »»
Again, the DG Bill Zito did miracles on the deadline for transactions, with the addition of Brad Marchand and Seth Jones, among others.
“After defeating the Caroline, Matthew Tkachuk said that the arrival of Marchand, Jones, but also Nico Sturm, from Vitek Vanecek, has brought back energy to the team. Merchant, it’s an energy ball, he is a leader of men, with a contagious personality. If it was not one guys, the route would have been different, “says Sylvain Lefebvre.
PHOTO SAM NAVARRO, ARCHIVES IMAGN IMAGES
Brad Marchand
Last year, Florida beat the Oilers in seven games. This year, six games were necessary. And this time again, the defensive brigade of the panthers, led by Lefebvre, managed to curb Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the attack of the Oilers.
“We knew it would not be easy. But we also believed that we had a better team than last year, in every way. The oilers had improved too. McDavid and Draisaitl already had around thirty points before the final! Said Lefebvre.
“But our team statistics were good; We had 18 different guys who had scored at least one goal, and several had 20 points. We had a nice balanced team; All trios could contribute. Sam Bennett scored 15 goals! We knew that we were solid and that we could counter their two big attackers. »»
Add to that the domination of Sergei Bobrovsky in front of the Floridian cage, which easily had the upper hand on the Tandem Pickard-Skinner, and you have all the ingredients for success.
“We had the lead in the match throughout the final, except for 33 minutes, I think. It is quite revealing as a statistical. It could have ended before six games, would not have been the extensions, “said Sylvain Lefebvre.
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida panthers players pose with the Stanley Cup.
The use of players and the recovery time were the key, during the season, he said.
“We focused on recovery. During the winter classic, during the 4 nations tournament. Same thing for ice time; We distributed it among the players. It happened that we had the lead in a match by a few goals, and I kept [Gustav] Forsling on the bench for the last 15 minutes. »»
“The most difficult, it was to moderate expectations. After winning the Cup last year, it was a bit normal to believe that we were going to win the 82 games of the following season and the 16 games in series! We had to keep our concentration, even if we lost against a lower team in November, ”he explains.
The cup in Estrie… and a baptism?
Sylvain Lefebvre went to show the Stanley Cup in Estrie last summer. And she will be back this year, he confirms. “We have not yet decided on the place or the schedule, but Aj Greer and I, we will bring the Stanley Cup back to Quebec, for sure!” »»
The whole family of Sylvain Lefebvre was present in Florida, for the final victory.
Last year, one of Lefebvre’s grandchildren was baptized in the Stanley Cup. “My daughter gave birth last year, it would in turn be!” We’ll see, we haven’t decided yet! »»
