RALEIGH, N.C. — The Florida Panthers are looking every bit like defending Stanley Cup champions — and the Carolina Hurricanes are quickly unraveling.
Fueled by a blistering first period and another stellar showing from goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers steamrolled the Hurricanes 5-0 on Thursday night to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.
Sam Bennett scored twice, including once in Florida’s three-goal opening frame, while Gustav Forsling and Matthew Tkachuk each found the back of the net early to set the tone. Carter Verhaeghe assisted on three of the night’s five goals in another standout performance.
“We could’ve easily had a slow start tonight,” said Tkachuk, who scored his first goal since Game 3 of the opening round. “Instead, we came out flying. Honestly, that was one of the best first periods we’ve played all season.”
Fast Start, Complete Control
The Panthers wasted no time putting pressure on Carolina, exploding for three goals in the first 20 minutes and leaving the Hurricanes stunned. Florida continued to smother the Canes on both ends of the ice, limiting a normally high-volume shooting team to just three first-period shots and seven through two periods.
Bobrovsky made 17 saves to secure his third shutout of the postseason and sixth of his playoff career, anchored by an airtight Florida defense that offered Carolina almost no space to work with.
“It’s always satisfying when the building gets quiet on the road,” Verhaeghe said. “That’s when we know we’re doing things right.”
Momentum Fully Shifted
After stealing Game 1 with a 5-2 victory, Florida now heads home with full control of the series — a repeat of last year’s conference final, when the Panthers swept the Hurricanes in four straight one-goal contests. This time, they’ve done it with overwhelming force, outscoring Carolina 10-2 through two games.
Bennett struck again late in the second period, poking in a rebound during a chaotic shift prolonged by Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns being trapped on the ice without a stick. Aleksander Barkov added a final goal midway through the third for the exclamation point.
Florida has now won four straight road playoff games, outscoring opponents 22-4 in those contests.
Controversial Moment, Missed Opportunity
Carolina briefly thought they had cut into the deficit early in the second when Sebastian Aho buried a shot off a neutral-zone turnover. But Florida successfully challenged the play for offsides — a deflection off Tkachuk’s skate as Burns poke-checked him near the blue line had sent the puck back into Carolina’s zone just before Aho’s score.
The overturned goal drained what little energy remained in the arena, where frustrated fans later chanted, “Shoot the puck!”
Another Conference Final Meltdown
For the Hurricanes, the loss was a familiar nightmare. It marked their 14th consecutive defeat in a conference final, dating back to sweep losses in 2009, 2019, and last season’s clash with Florida.
“From where I was standing, they were better than us in every area,” said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour. “You’ve got to give them credit.”
The Hurricanes pulled goaltender Frederik Andersen after two periods in favor of Pyotr Kochetkov, searching for a spark that never came.
Injury Watch
The Panthers didn’t leave unscathed. Veteran forward Sam Reinhart exited the game in the first period after absorbing a low hit from Aho that twisted his left leg awkwardly. Head coach Paul Maurice said there was no immediate update on Reinhart’s condition.
Up Next:
📍 Game 3 heads to Sunrise, FL — puck drops Saturday night as Florida looks to take a stranglehold 3-0 lead.
