Sunrise, FL - The Florida Panthers are returning to the Stanley Cup Final after a thrilling Game 5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
Florida overcame an early two goal deficit and stormed back to win five to three, claiming the Eastern Conference title for the second time in three seasons.
Sebastian Aho gave the Hurricanes an early spark with two goals in the first period, both coming off turnovers in the neutral zone.
Florida responded in the second with three quick goals from Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Rodrigues, and Anton Lundell.
The game was tied again in the third period after Carolina’s Seth Jarvis found the net, but Carter Verhaeghe broke the deadlock with just under eight minutes remaining.
The winning goal came off a strong play by Aleksander Barkov, who fought through contact before setting up Verhaeghe near the crease.
Florida’s Sam Bennett sealed the victory with an empty net goal in the final minute.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped twenty shots in net and helped Florida stretch its playoff road win streak to five.
The Panthers celebrated on the Hurricanes’ home ice as they were awarded the Prince of Wales Trophy.
Some fans voiced frustration with chants favoring Edmonton, who currently leads Dallas three games to one in the Western Conference series.
Carolina’s postseason run ends short of the final once again, despite reaching the playoffs for the seventh straight year.
The Panthers will try to win back-to-back titles after capturing their first Stanley Cup last year.