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Bill Zito compares the Panthers to the 2011 Bruins
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    Bill Zito compares the Panthers to the 2011 Bruins

    With five days between Monday and the start of the Stanley Cup Final, there’s a lot of time for prognostication, debate and even comparison.

    On Monday’s edition of The Jeff Marek Show, Marek proposed such a comparison between this iteration of the Florida Panthers and the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins to Panthers general manager Bill Zito.

    After some contemplation, Zito agreed that are similarities between the two squads.

    “Well, specifically I’ve never heard that from anyone, but listening to you (Marek) and having been intimate with that series because I represented Tim Thomas … that level of compete, composure, the way the team pulls for each other, I see a lot of similarities,” said Zito.

    “The personnel ones … those are easy comparisons to draw, but there’s some accuracy to them.”

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    The most notable personnel resemblance is between Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and Bruins former captain Patrice Bergeron.

    Though Bergeron, now retired, was not the captain of the Bruins during the 2011 Stanley Cup run, him and Barkov share play-style similarities, specifically their defensive prowess as forwards.

    Bergeron, a six-time Selke Trophy winner, was well known for his play on the defensive end and Barkov is earning a similar reputation, taking home his second Selke Trophy this season beating out Auston Matthews and Jordan Staal to win the award.

    But both players’ impact go beyond both the box score and game tape — it also shows up in their leadership.

    Zito sung Barkov’s praises on Monday, describing just how valuable their captain is to the team both on and off the ice.

    “There’s probably not a superlative that I possess that I could use to describe just how important he is,” Zito said. “It really starts with who he is as a person … that level of graciousness and work ethic on and off the ice, dedication to getting better, it sets the tone for everybody.”

    Zito did allow that there are obviously differences between the two teams and that one could also focus on those to flip the perspective.

    “Eventually I’m sure we could probably tear it apart as well. If we wanted to take the other side of the coin: ‘oh it’s nothing like that!’”

    Watch Zito’s Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

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    Bill Zito, the general manager of the Florida Panthers, recently made headlines when he compared his team to the 2011 Boston Bruins. Zito’s comments came after the Panthers clinched a playoff spot for the first time in five years, finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 37-14-5.

    In an interview with reporters, Zito praised his team’s depth, physicality, and resilience, drawing parallels to the 2011 Bruins team that went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Bruins, led by captain Zdeno Chara and goaltender Tim Thomas, were known for their tough, hard-nosed style of play and their ability to grind out wins in close games.

    Like the 2011 Bruins, the Panthers have a strong defensive core anchored by players like Aaron Ekblad and MacKenzie Weegar. They also have a potent offense led by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, who have been among the league leaders in scoring this season.

    Zito’s comparison is not without merit. The Panthers have shown a knack for coming from behind in games and finding ways to win, much like the Bruins did in their championship run. They have also shown a willingness to play a physical style of hockey, standing up for their teammates and not backing down from any challenge.

    Of course, it remains to be seen if the Panthers can replicate the success of the 2011 Bruins and hoist the Stanley Cup. They will face stiff competition in the playoffs from teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, who have also had strong seasons.

    But one thing is clear: Bill Zito has instilled a winning mentality in his team, and they are poised to make some noise in the postseason. Whether or not they can follow in the footsteps of the 2011 Bruins remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain – the Panthers are a team to watch in the playoffs.