In a thrilling finish, Matthew Tkachuk netted his second goal of the evening with just five seconds remaining in regulation, leading the Florida Panthers to a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. This win secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final, marking a significant achievement for the team in Sunrise, Florida, on Wednesday night.
With this victory, the Panthers achieved a remarkable four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals, marking only their second trip to the championship round in franchise history. Their previous appearance was in 1996, where they faced a tough defeat against the Colorado Avalanche. This time, the team is ready to make a significant impact on the grand stage.
Taking advantage of a power play opportunity, Tkachuk skillfully maneuvered the puck to the front of the net, scoring his ninth goal of the playoffs to seal the series. Notably, Tkachuk has been a clutch performer, recording three game-winning goals in this best-of-seven series, including crucial scores in the first and second overtimes of Game 1 and Game 2, respectively.
His latest goal also ties an NHL record for the latest series-winning goal scored in regulation. This achievement mirrors the feat of Nick Metz of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who eliminated the New York Rangers with just five seconds left in Game 6 of the 1942 Stanley Cup Semifinals. Tkachuk’s timing and precision highlight his significant contributions to the team’s success.
In addition to Tkachuk, Anthony Duclair and Ryan Lomberg also found the back of the net for the Panthers, who celebrated their franchise’s first-ever playoff series sweep. This victory is a testament to the team’s hard work and unity throughout the playoffs, as they continue to build momentum heading into the finals.
Looking ahead, the Panthers are set to face the winner of the Western Conference Finals, where the Vegas Golden Knights currently hold a commanding 3-0 lead over the Dallas Stars. The anticipation is building for a potentially thrilling finals matchup that could showcase some of the best talent in the league.
In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky made an impressive 36 saves, playing a crucial role in the Panthers’ victory, while team captain Aleksander Barkov contributed two assists, demonstrating his leadership and skill on the ice. Their combined efforts were instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes saw goals from Paul Stastny, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jesper Fast, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to prevent them from being swept in their third consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Brady Skjei and Jordan Martinook provided two assists each, while goaltender Frederik Andersen faced 20 shots, showcasing the resilience of the Hurricanes despite the tough loss.
The game started with a bang as Duclair opened the scoring just 41 seconds in, setting the tone for the Panthers. Tkachuk then extended the lead with a power-play goal midway through the first period, demonstrating the team’s offensive prowess.
The Hurricanes fought back, equalizing the score when Stastny scored his fourth goal of the playoffs at 13:03 of the first period, followed by Teravainen’s first postseason goal at 2:51 of the second period, showcasing their determination to stay in the game.
Lomberg’s first playoff goal pushed the Panthers ahead again midway through the second period, but Fast managed to tie the game once more with just 3:22 remaining in regulation, keeping the excitement alive until the final moments.
Both teams faced injuries during the game. Florida forward Eetu Luostarinen exited in the second period after blocking a shot with his leg, while Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin suffered an upper-body injury after a clean but hard hit from Sam Bennett, leaving both teams to navigate the challenges of player availability.
Additionally, Stefan Noesen of the Hurricanes left the game due to an upper-body injury sustained in the first period. Although he briefly returned in the second period, he ultimately could not continue, further complicating the Hurricanes efforts to keep pace with the Panthers.
–Field Level Media
