Panthers down Canes to advance to NHL Finals
Photo credit: NHL
Though the Carolina Hurricanes made a late-game push to come back in the game, it was too little, too late. Florida Panthers beat the Canes 4 games to 1 to win the Eastern Conference, advancing to the 2024-2025 Stanley Cup Finals.
This will make the third consecutive visit to the NHL Finals for the Panthers, who also happen to be the current champions.
Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winning goal with 7:35 remaining in the 3rd period, after Barkov evaded a defender and made a clever cross-ice pass to Verhaeghe.
"He's so elite," Verhaeghe said of Barkov during post-game coverage from TNT. "He beat a guy one-on-one, another guy came to him, and I was wide open. I can't believe he passed it. He's such a great player. It was all him."
Making a quote of his own about Barkov, Marchand said, "That was a big-time play. He's leading from the front this entire playoffs. It's incredible. I have so much more respect playing with him than playing against him."
Florida's victory came after a poor showing in the first period, with the Canes up 2-0, both goals scored by Sebastian Aho. But Matthew Tkachuk and Evan Rodrigues each scored 30 seconds apart to tie the game mid-way through the 2nd frame. Lundell added one of his own to make it 3-2.
The Florida Panthers took a team photo with the Prince of Wales Trophy, which is awarded to the Eastern Conference Champions. Florida players would not touch the trophy, however, as a per team superstition.
In 2023, Tkachuk and other players touched the award and Florida ended up losing to the Golden Knights in five games in the finals. The following season Panthers players avoided touching the Prince of Wales Trophy, and won versus the Oilers, to take home the Stanley Cup.
"I think my first year here, it was a accomplishment," Tkachuk said, "coming from where we were at the end of the regular season and then barely squeaking in...But all business for us right now."
This finals appearance marks the fourth for the long-time Boston Bruins Brad Marchand. It seems Florida started a tradition this post-season, of throwing plastic rats at Marchand. They hope to continue this new tradition against the Oilers or Stars, as they hope to win consecutive Stanley Cups.
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 14 ANSWERS Panthers down Canes to advance to NHL Finals Who do you believe will advance in the West? | ||
| Edmonton Oilers | 14 | 100 % |
| Dallas Stars | 0 | 0 % |
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