The Colorado Avalanche won the series in six games, and represented the NHL Western Conference in the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals.
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The Penguins were looking to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1992, while the Panthers were playing in their first-ever Conference Finals.
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Detroit had the league's best regular-season record and were hoping to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year.
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The Florida Panthers won the series in seven games, and represented the NHL Eastern Conference in the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals.
1996 | World Cup | FIFA World Cup | 1996 Summer Olympics | 2010 FIFA World Cup | FA Cup | 1978 FIFA World Cup | 2006 FIFA World Cup | Stanley Kubrick | 1996 in music | Davis Cup | Stanley Cup | Rugby World Cup | Cricket World Cup | 1986 FIFA World Cup | 1982 FIFA World Cup | Stanley | Sprint Cup Series | 2007 Cricket World Cup | Charles Stanley | 2011 Rugby World Cup | 2002 FIFA World Cup | Stanley Matthews | League Cup | 1996 ATP Tour | Scottish Cup | Grey Cup | Football League Cup | 1998 FIFA World Cup | 1996–97 in English football |