5/20/2025
RALEIGH, NC
Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, while the Florida Panthers build an early lead to cruise to a game 1 5-2 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
Florida won with five different goal scorers; Carter Verhaeghe, Aaron Ekblad, AJ Greer, Sam Bennett, Eetu Luostarinen. Carolina’s two goals were scored by Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake.
The series is a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final won by Florida in a sweep. Although the series appeared lopsided, all four games were decided by one goal, including a quadruple overtime game 1.
The Panthers came into game 1 fresh off a seven game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida had to overcome a 2-0 series deficit, including trailing 3-1 in game 3 to outlast the Leafs. The Hurricanes in round 2 showcased suffocating defense on the Washington Capitals in a five game series win.
Florida had intentions to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season with hopes of a repeat. The Hurricanes after two trips to the conference final in the Rod Brind’amour regime were still looking for their first win in the third round.
Florida once again started Sergei Bobrovsky in net while Carolina pinned Frederick Andersen between the pipes for the Canes.
The defending Cup champions showcased their playoff experience in period number one. On a Panther power play, Carter Verhaeghe flipped a backhander by Andersen to put the Cats in front 1-0 at 8:30 of the opening frame. At 12:29 the Panthers were on the prowl again. Aaron Ekblad’s snap shot beat Andersen to give Florida a 2-0 lead. The Hurricanes countered late in the period when Sebastian Aho tipped in a Seth Jarvis shot off his skate to put the Canes within one.
Florida in the second period was outshot 10-8, yet the Panthers capitalized on a goal from AJ Greer 3:33 into the middle frame. The Panthers led 3-1 after two periods of play.
Any hopes of a Hurricanes rally were dashed when Sam Bennett scored from the high slot to give the Panthers a 4-1 lead. Eetu Luostarinen for Florida and Carolina’s Jackson Blake tallied goals during the latter stages of the third. Florida’s 5-2 victory handed game one to the Cats.
The winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky spoke to the media saying about the win, “It was a complete game. We’re happy with the win. It’s important to get the first one. They have a good team. They’re going to compete, they’re going to fight. We’re getting ready for the next game.”
That next game, game 2 of the series is scheduled for 5 p.m. pacific on Thursday night from Raleigh with the game broadcasted on TNT and CBC.
Stay tuned for continued updates of the NHL Conference Finals on ESN.
www.elisportsnetwork.com
