Postgame scenes

New York Times

2 days ago

Florida advances to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year Getty Images
The Panthers have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year, beating the Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5 to win the Eastern Conference final.
Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winning goal with less than eight minutes left in the third period off a brilliant assist from Aleksander Barkov.
Carolina had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on a pair of goals by Sebastian Aho, but Florida roared back in the second with three goals in 4:36 to take a 3-2 lead into the third. Seth Jarvis tied the game midway through the period, but Verhaeghe answered with the clincher less than four minutes later to send the Panthers through to the Final.
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Panthers advance to Stanley Cup Final for third straight year, eliminate Hurricanes: Takeaways Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
The opposing coaches, Rod Brind'Amour and Paul Maurice, come together for a conversation between the benches. It doesn't look super friendly but it's not exactly heated either.
Meanwhile, the Carolina fans are chanting "Let's go Canes" inside Lenovo Center. You have to hand it to them, they always create a great atmosphere despite their team seemingly always coming up just a bit short.
It's all over! The Panthers have won 5-3, eliminating the Hurricanes and advancing to their third straight Stanley Cup Final!
That should do it. What an incredible kill from the Panthers and Bobrovsky. The Hurricanes were absolutely buzzing. Take back anything you've said about them playing boring hockey. That was an incredible two minutes of hockey.
No idea how Bobrovsky made a couple of those saves. That's why he'll be in the Hall of Fame someday. Getty Images
P3 0:53 - Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3
Several huge chances on the power play but Carolina can't convert!
Bennett's penalty ends. He emerges from the box, collects the puck right as it's cleared and scores into the empty net!
The Hurricanes call their timeout. Fifty-three seconds to score twice, otherwise their season is over.
It should be mentioned that the Panthers are currently playing with only 10 forwards. Eetu Luostarinen left in the first period with an injury and A.J. Greer is on the bench but hasn't played since early in the second.
P3 2:05 - Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3
A brilliant play sets Svechnikov up with a free shot from the slot but he misses the net!
Moments later, the Canes pull Andersen. The Panthers shoot on the empty net but just miss!
P3 3:00 - Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3
Here we go! Here's a massive opportunity for the Hurricanes to rescue their season, as Bennett goes to the box for slashing Staal.
Carolina is 0-for-4 on the power play so far tonight ...
P3 3:42 - Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3
The Hurricanes are running out of time to rescue their season. Brind'Amour has to be considering when he'll pull Andersen.
Barkov with perhaps the play of the playoffs to set up Verhaeghe. I have no words for that pass. Brilliance.
Let's see if the Panthers can hang on. What a hockey game! Getty Images
P3 7:39 - Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3
Verhaeghe gives Florida the lead again! A fantastic play by Barkov as he holds off Orlov for several seconds before sliding the puck across the ice to Verhaeghe, who has a wide-open angle to shoot into for the goal.
P3 8:57 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 3
The puck takes a surprising bounce off the wall and gives Bennett a free chance right in the crease, but Andersen stands tall to keep the score level. Getty Images
Bobrovsky got caught in no-man's land for just a moment and Jarvis took advantage with a smooth, patient finish. The Hurricanes felt dead in the water after the second period.
Quite a moment there. What a finish we have on the horizon! Getty Images
Great celebration by Seth Jarvis, too. He wanted that one. Needed it, too — he's had a few chances throughout the night and come close.
For Carolina, the story of this one so far is two of their best players, Sebastian Aho and Jarvis, coming up big. We'll see if they have one more in them. Getty Images
P3 11:30 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 3
In the arena, they're pushing whatever buttons they've got. We've heard Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and seen a Ted Lasso "Believe" sign on the video board. Fans are cheering loudly. And hey, Carolina scores! Seth Jarvis. We're tied!
Svechnikov poked a loose puck towards the slot and Jarvis was there to chip it past Bobrovsky.
P3 14:45 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Orlov attempts a stretch pass from behind the Hurricanes net but sends the puck directly to Marchand in the Carolina zone. Orlov is fortunate that Marchand is unable to prevent the puck from bouncing, as otherwise he would have been walking in free on goal. Getty Images
P3 16:13 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Andersen comes up with a couple of big saves on the penalty kill to keep Carolina's deficit to one goal.
P3 17:14 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Aho does really well to steal the puck in the neutral zone and set Jarvis up for a shorthanded scoring opportunity, but Bobrovsky makes a relatively routine save.
We're halfway through the Panthers power play.
P3 18:14 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Staal makes a great play to prevent a two-on-one from getting to the front of the net.
Moments later, though, William Carrier commits his second penalty of the night, holding Lundell as the two skated towards the corner wall.
P3 20:00 - Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Twenty minutes stand between the Panthers and their third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. Let's see if the Hurricanes can extend their season!