SUNRISE, Fla. — For the sixth straight year, the Stanley Cup will run through Florida.
Down two goals heading into the second period after a brutal first Wednesday, the Florida Panthers scored three times in the second, then held off an attempted comeback by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third, taking Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final 5-3 to claim the Prince of Wales Trophy for the third consecutive season.
Advertisement
In the three years prior to the Panthers’ run, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the East.
Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis sent Lenovo Center into orbit by scoring the tying goal in the third period, but Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov withstood being held by Dmitry Orlov, freed himself and set up Mr. Clutch himself, Carter Verhaeghe, for his latest big playoff goal with 7:39 left in the third period.
Verhaeghe, who has scored 32 goals in 86 career playoff games, now has three series-clinching goals with Florida.
https://t.co/kgUcwv6REH pic.twitter.com/tTmjju4zHz
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 29, 2025
It was Florida’s first multi-goal comeback to clinch a series in franchise history, and the Panthers became the fifth team in the past 30 years with a multi-goal comeback win to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.
They will be the seventh team since the 1967-68 expansion to appear in at least three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and the second since the New York Islanders went to four straight during their 1980 to ’84 dynasty.
If the Edmonton Oilers, up 3-1 in their series with the Dallas Stars, advance, this would be the first Stanley Cup Final rematch since 2008 and 2009 when the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins met in back-to-back years. Detroit won in 2008 and Pittsburgh in 2009.
After Sebastian Aho scored twice in the first period, Matthew Tkachuk and Evan Rodrigues scored 30 seconds apart in the second followed by Anton Lundell 4:06 later.
Up 4-3 late, the Panthers killed a late Carolina power play, and Sam Bennett came out of the box to score an empty-net goal to ice things.
The Panthers, who will start the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton or Dallas, won all three road games in the series and have won five in a row away from South Florida. They outscored the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canes 27-7 in those past five road games. They are 8-2 on the road in the playoffs.
Advertisement
Here are four takeaways from Wednesday night.
Panthers’ second-period surge
Tkachuk, who snapped a 10-game goal drought in Game 2 of the series, sparked the comeback with a goal and an assist 30 seconds apart in the second period.
With the Panthers’ power play in an 0-for-10 drought and shotless on two consecutive power plays in the first period with a chance to tie, Tkachuk redirected Aaron Ekblad’s shot to cut the deficit to 2-1 just 20 seconds after the Panthers successfully killed a Seth Jones minor.
TKACHUK ON THE POWERPLAY, WE GOT A GAME FOLKS 👀 pic.twitter.com/AxyzsFCK4S
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 29, 2025
On the next shift, with Rodrigues taking Carter Verhaeghe’s spot on the Bennett-Tkachuk line, Tkachuk took a hit from Jordan Martinook by the Florida bench to send Rodrigues into the zone.
Rodrigues completed a give-and-go with Bennett for his first goal of the playoffs. Florida now has 19 different goal scorers in the playoffs.
EVAN RODRIGUES! Two goals in 30 seconds for the Panthers and we’re all tied up at 2!#TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/0mIGIJn6uY
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 29, 2025
The Panthers weren’t done.
After a faceoff win by Lundell, on a set play, he drove the net as Brad Marchand grabbed the puck, slid down the left-wing boards and centered a pass for a goalmouth roof shot by Lundell for a 3-2 lead.
The Panthers scored on three of their seven shots in the second.
LUNDELL!! FLORIDA HAS TAKEN A 3-2 LEAD IN GAME 5 😱 pic.twitter.com/jRVaaiyKAy
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 29, 2025
Freddie fumbles
When Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was benched earlier in the series, getting yanked at the second intermission of Game 3 and not playing at all in Game 3, it wasn’t due to any particularly egregious goals allowed. He wasn’t getting embarrassed.
There is, though, a cumulative effect to allowing nine goals on 36 shots, as he did before giving way to Pyotr Kochetkov. Andersen wasn’t terrible — the other guys get paid too, as the saying goes. He also wasn’t good enough.
Advertisement
Florida’s three-goal second period followed a similar script. There was nothing Andersen could’ve done on Tkachuk’s goal. For Rodrigues’ and Lundell’s, though, there were plays to be made. Andersen seemed to be late picking up the puck off Rodrigues’ stick, for example, and he could’ve used his stick to make things more difficult on Lundell. The end result was an extreme momentum swing and three goals for Florida on their first 10 shots.
Andersen is a good goaltender. For two rounds, he might have been Carolina’s best player. Against Florida, though, his play dipped, and the Hurricanes suffered.
Aho strikes first
Panthers coach Rod Brind’Amour, at every possible juncture, has stressed the importance of scoring the first goal — even more than the average NHL coach. His team failed to do that in Games 1, 2 and 3, then lost. In Game 4, they took care of business and extended the series. In Game 5, they struck first again; Aho scored on a breakaway four minutes, 39 seconds into the game, sending Lenovo Center into an early bit of overdrive.
Aho created the chance for himself when he picked off an ill-advised pass from Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling. It was a rare mistake from one of the league’s most reliable defenseman, and it came after gloving a clear attempt by Andrei Svechnikov at center ice.
The sequence — Carolina forcing a bad play, catching a bit of good luck and taking advantage — reminded us of something Svechnikov said ahead of the game.
“We obviously played good (in a 3-0 Game 4 win) but also you got to have, maybe, a few lucky bounces (that go) your way and that’s what’s going we’re looking for,” Svechnikov said.
Orlov burned
A theme of the series was poor play by Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov, and it continued into Game 4, reoccurring at the worst possible time.
Advertisement
Orlov was Barkov’s victim on what might’ve been the play of the postseason thus far, his set-up on Verhaeghe’s series-clinching goal. Barkov dragged Orlov along the boards, lost him and then had the presence of mind and skill to stick-handle from the goal line to an open patch of ice outside the crease, where he hit Verhaeghe with a backhand pass. It was incredible.
It also was another instance of Orlov getting victimized. Carolina’s 6-2 Game 3 loss, until this point, was the most glaring. He finishes the series having been on the ice for 11 Panthers goals and two by the Hurricanes — and he’s an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Caitlin Clark puts her injury aside to congratulate Tommy Fleetwood on his first PGA Tour win
It was a moment of pure triumph as 34-year-old Tommy Fleetwood finally tasted victory, crowned champion of the Tour Championship this Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia. With this win, Fleetwood secured his first-ever PGA Tour title, marking a historic milestone in his career and a moment that will be hard to forget.British golfer Tommy Fleetwood closed the day with a score of 68, finishing two under par to surpass Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley, matching Cantlay's overall tally. It was arguably one of the most magical moments of his career as he lifted the FedEx Cup trophy in front of the crowd. "I hope this will be one victory of many," Fleetwood told NBC after his historic win.Caitlin Clark's chokehold fails on black belt Sophie CunninghamTommy Fleetwood's triumph at the FedEx Cup did not go unnoticed, as fans and athletes across […]
Kevin Stefanski sent a message with his decision to withdraw Shedeur Sanders from final pre-season game
The Cleveland Browns concluded the preseason with a 3-0 record, but uncertainty remains regarding the composition of their quarterback room. General manager Andrew Berry suggested that retaining multiple quarterbacks could be advantageous rather than problematic, indicating the team is considering the possibility of carrying four quarterbacks into the regular season.Joe Flacco has firmly established himself as the starting quarterback for Week 1, leaving the backup role as the primary point of evaluation. Rookie Shedeur Sanders appeared to be a strong contender early in the preseason, delivering a notable performance against the Carolina Panthers with 14 completions on 23 attempts and two touchdowns. However, an oblique injury interrupted his momentum, creating an opportunity for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel to gain playing experience. Gabriel performed effectively in limited action, completing 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles.Preseason finale […]
Taylor Swift stuns fans with her role in Travis Kelce’s new Chiefs docuseries
Taylor Swift has once again proven she's all in on Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs-this time by throwing her support behind the team's new ESPN docuseries, The Kingdom.Director Kristen Lappas revealed that Swift personally "approved all of her image and likeness" for the six-part project and was "very supportive" of its production. While the filmmakers chose not to interview her in order to keep the focus on the franchise, Chiefs exec Lara Krug said Swift is shown "in the way that she wanted to be seen-as a fan of the community."The series, which chronicles the Chiefs' 2024 season while highlighting the dynasty's storied history, features Kelce alongside Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and legendary coach Andy Reid. But Swift's quiet stamp of approval ensures her presence looms large in the background.Taylor's journey from newbie to superfanHer involvement isn't surprising. […]
Aaron Boone makes a decisive decision regarding Anthony Volpe: The Yankees begin to remove him
It could be the beginning of the end for Anthony Volpe with the New York Yankees. The shortstop is no longer the player who seemed destined to be the future of the position for the franchise, and worst of all, his mistakes are coming at a critical moment as the team fights for a postseason spot in Major League Baseball.Trent Grisham makes one of the coolest celebrations after hitting a home run against the AstrosFor a team like the Yankees, the margin for error is razor-thin, and with a fanbase that's growing increasingly frustrated, it's becoming even harder for Volpe to regain the credibility that's starting to slip away.Will Anthony Volpe leave the Yankees?When the possibility of replacing Anthony Volpe was hinted at before the trade deadline, it was just a "maybe"-until a player arrived who is now starting to […]
Tommy Fleetwood Wins Tour Championship for First PGA Tour Title, FedEx Cup
Tommy Fleetwood of England ended a summer of heartache with the richest prize on the PGA Tour, winning the Tour Championship on Sunday for his first tour title to capture the FedEx Cup and its $10 million reward.Fleetwood got plenty of help at the start when Patrick Cantlay began bogey-double bogey and could never catch up. Scottie Scheffler hit his opening tee shot out-of-bounds and still was a threat until a tee shot into the water ended his hopes on the 15th.Through it all, Fleetwood held his nerve. He closed with a 2-under 68 for a three-shot victory over Cantlay (71) and Russell Henley (69)."I’ve been a PGA Tour winner for a long time, it’s just always been in my mind," Fleetwood said. "A lot of close calls, but I’ve always enjoyed the challenge."His first PGA Tour victory came with […]
Playoff home games in jeopardy for WNBA team as event threatens arena access
The Golden State Valkyries are having a banner inaugural season, with record-setting attendance at the Chase Center and sights firmly set on the playoffs. But their journey to postseason success may hit an unexpected roadblock: a scheduling overlap with the Laver Cup, a high-profile international tennis event, wich could displace the team's home court advantage during a first round WNBA playoff series.Angel Reese praises curves in bold Beyoncé-inspired lookLaver Cup setup could push Valkyries out of their arenaThe trouble stems from a prior booking at Chase Center for the Laver Cup, scheduled for September 19-21, with setup likely beginning immediately afterward. That timing conflicts directly with the WNBA's first round playoff window, which could land the Valkyries' Game 2 or even Game 1 outside the arena. As a lower seeded team, they're slated to host Game 2, now jeopardized by […]
Related
Caitlin Clark puts her injury aside to congratulate Tommy Fleetwood on his first PGA Tour win
It was a moment of pure triumph as 34-year-old Tommy Fleetwood finally tasted victory, crowned champion of the Tour Championship this Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia. With this win, Fleetwood secured his first-ever PGA Tour title, marking a historic milestone in his career and a moment that will be hard to forget.British golfer Tommy Fleetwood closed the day with a score of 68, finishing two under par to surpass Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley, matching Cantlay's overall tally. It was arguably one of the most magical moments of his career as he lifted the FedEx Cup trophy in front of the crowd. "I hope this will be one victory of many," Fleetwood told NBC after his historic win.Caitlin Clark's chokehold fails on black belt Sophie CunninghamTommy Fleetwood's triumph at the FedEx Cup did not go unnoticed, as fans and athletes across […]
Kevin Stefanski sent a message with his decision to withdraw Shedeur Sanders from final pre-season game
The Cleveland Browns concluded the preseason with a 3-0 record, but uncertainty remains regarding the composition of their quarterback room. General manager Andrew Berry suggested that retaining multiple quarterbacks could be advantageous rather than problematic, indicating the team is considering the possibility of carrying four quarterbacks into the regular season.Joe Flacco has firmly established himself as the starting quarterback for Week 1, leaving the backup role as the primary point of evaluation. Rookie Shedeur Sanders appeared to be a strong contender early in the preseason, delivering a notable performance against the Carolina Panthers with 14 completions on 23 attempts and two touchdowns. However, an oblique injury interrupted his momentum, creating an opportunity for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel to gain playing experience. Gabriel performed effectively in limited action, completing 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles.Preseason finale […]
Taylor Swift stuns fans with her role in Travis Kelce’s new Chiefs docuseries
Taylor Swift has once again proven she's all in on Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs-this time by throwing her support behind the team's new ESPN docuseries, The Kingdom.Director Kristen Lappas revealed that Swift personally "approved all of her image and likeness" for the six-part project and was "very supportive" of its production. While the filmmakers chose not to interview her in order to keep the focus on the franchise, Chiefs exec Lara Krug said Swift is shown "in the way that she wanted to be seen-as a fan of the community."The series, which chronicles the Chiefs' 2024 season while highlighting the dynasty's storied history, features Kelce alongside Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and legendary coach Andy Reid. But Swift's quiet stamp of approval ensures her presence looms large in the background.Taylor's journey from newbie to superfanHer involvement isn't surprising. […]
Aaron Boone makes a decisive decision regarding Anthony Volpe: The Yankees begin to remove him
It could be the beginning of the end for Anthony Volpe with the New York Yankees. The shortstop is no longer the player who seemed destined to be the future of the position for the franchise, and worst of all, his mistakes are coming at a critical moment as the team fights for a postseason spot in Major League Baseball.Trent Grisham makes one of the coolest celebrations after hitting a home run against the AstrosFor a team like the Yankees, the margin for error is razor-thin, and with a fanbase that's growing increasingly frustrated, it's becoming even harder for Volpe to regain the credibility that's starting to slip away.Will Anthony Volpe leave the Yankees?When the possibility of replacing Anthony Volpe was hinted at before the trade deadline, it was just a "maybe"-until a player arrived who is now starting to […]
Tommy Fleetwood Wins Tour Championship for First PGA Tour Title, FedEx Cup
Tommy Fleetwood of England ended a summer of heartache with the richest prize on the PGA Tour, winning the Tour Championship on Sunday for his first tour title to capture the FedEx Cup and its $10 million reward.Fleetwood got plenty of help at the start when Patrick Cantlay began bogey-double bogey and could never catch up. Scottie Scheffler hit his opening tee shot out-of-bounds and still was a threat until a tee shot into the water ended his hopes on the 15th.Through it all, Fleetwood held his nerve. He closed with a 2-under 68 for a three-shot victory over Cantlay (71) and Russell Henley (69)."I’ve been a PGA Tour winner for a long time, it’s just always been in my mind," Fleetwood said. "A lot of close calls, but I’ve always enjoyed the challenge."His first PGA Tour victory came with […]
Playoff home games in jeopardy for WNBA team as event threatens arena access
The Golden State Valkyries are having a banner inaugural season, with record-setting attendance at the Chase Center and sights firmly set on the playoffs. But their journey to postseason success may hit an unexpected roadblock: a scheduling overlap with the Laver Cup, a high-profile international tennis event, wich could displace the team's home court advantage during a first round WNBA playoff series.Angel Reese praises curves in bold Beyoncé-inspired lookLaver Cup setup could push Valkyries out of their arenaThe trouble stems from a prior booking at Chase Center for the Laver Cup, scheduled for September 19-21, with setup likely beginning immediately afterward. That timing conflicts directly with the WNBA's first round playoff window, which could land the Valkyries' Game 2 or even Game 1 outside the arena. As a lower seeded team, they're slated to host Game 2, now jeopardized by […]
Be the first to leave a comment