The Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff run came to a heartbreaking end Wednesday, May 28, as they lost 5-3 to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Played in front of a packed house at the Lenovo Center, the loss eliminated the Canes from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, sending the Panthers to the Final.
The game began with promise for Carolina. Canes’ star Sebastian Aho opened the scoring early with an unassisted goal at 4:39 in the first period. Despite several penalties, including roughing and cross-checking minors on Alexander Nikishin and William Carrier, the Hurricanes kept up the pressure. Aho struck again at 18:54, this time assisted by Seth Jarvis, sending the Canes into the second period with a 2-0 lead.
The second period, however, was all Florida. After Jesperi Kotkaniemi was sent to the box for holding, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk capitalized with a power-play goal at 7:23, assisted by Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones. Just 30 seconds later, Evan Rodrigues tied the game. Then, at 11:59, Anton Lundell scored to give Florida its first lead of the night.
Despite several penalties throughout the period, including two on Florida’s side, Carolina couldn’t regain its rhythm. The Panthers’ fast-paced attack and quick transitions overwhelmed the Canes’ defense.
In the third period, the Hurricanes tried to regroup and recover. Jarvis lit the lamp at 8:30 with help from Andrei Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbehere, tying the score at 3-3, but Florida answered quickly. Carter Verhaeghe scored at 12:21, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. The Canes pulled goalie Frederik Andersen for an extra attacker in the final minutes, but Sam Bennett sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:06.
Overall, Andersen made 17 saves on 22 shots, while Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 20 of 23. Carolina outshot Florida 23-22 and led in hits (48-31), faceoff wins (35-36), and physicality, but due to the sheer amount of penalties and their collapse during the second period, they were unable to pull through.
It was a bittersweet ending to a season full of hard work, skill, and determination. While the Hurricanes fell short of their championship goal, they left the playoffs with pride and a foundation strong enough to contend for the cup again next year.
