Defending Champs Advance to Stanley Cup Final
The defending champion Florida Panthers have secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year. They achieved this by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final on Wednesday night.
Game Recap
Carter Verhaeghe scored the winning goal off a feed from Aleksander Barkov with 7:39 left in the game, breaking a tie and sending the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers will face the winner of the Western final between Edmonton and Dallas, with the Oilers currently leading 3-1 in the series.
Key Moments in the Game
The game was a wild and intense matchup, with the Hurricanes jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. However, the Panthers responded with three goals in the second period, including scores from Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Rodrigues, and Anton Lundell. The Hurricanes tied the game at 3 midway through the third period on a goal from Seth Jarvis, but Verhaeghe’s late goal sealed the win for the Panthers.
Panthers’ Road to the Final
The Panthers have now won all three games in Raleigh in the series and have pushed their road winning streak in the playoffs to five games. They have also earned an eighth postseason road win overall. The team’s success on the road has been a key factor in their advancement to the Stanley Cup Final.
Hurricanes’ Disappointment
The loss is a disappointing end to the season for the Hurricanes, who were seeking their first Cup Final appearance since winning the franchise’s lone title in 2006. The team has now had three consecutive playoff appearances end in the Eastern final.
Outstanding Performances
Aleksander Barkov’s assist on Verhaeghe’s winning goal was a standout moment in the game. Barkov’s individual effort, which included jostling with Carolina’s Dmitry Orlov and stepping inside of Eric Robinson, was a key factor in the Panthers’ win. Sergei Bobrovsky also had a strong game, finishing with 20 saves.
Conclusion
The Florida Panthers’ win over the Carolina Hurricanes has secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year. The team’s success on the road and their ability to come from behind have been key factors in their advancement. The Panthers will now face the winner of the Western final between Edmonton and Dallas, with the Oilers currently leading 3-1 in the series.
FAQs
- Q: Who scored the winning goal for the Florida Panthers?
A: Carter Verhaeghe scored the winning goal off a feed from Aleksander Barkov with 7:39 left in the game. - Q: What is the Panthers’ road winning streak in the playoffs?
A: The Panthers have pushed their road winning streak in the playoffs to five games. - Q: Who will the Panthers face in the Stanley Cup Final?
A: The Panthers will face the winner of the Western final between Edmonton and Dallas. - Q: What is the significance of the Panthers’ win over the Hurricanes?
A: The Panthers’ win has secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year and has ended the Hurricanes’ season.
Originally Published: May 28, 2025 at 8:26 PM PDT
