The defending Stanley Cup champions are headed back to the finals for the third straight year, after beating the Hurricanes in Game 5 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, 5-3.
Carolina carried the momentum from their Game 4 win into the first period Wednesday night, taking a 2-0 lead, But the Panthers got back to their game in the second period, as Matthew Tkachuk got them on the board on the power play, Evan Rodrigues was rewarded for excellent play this postseason with his first goal of these playoffs, and Anton Lundell gave them the lead ahead of intermission.
The Hurricanes did tie up in the third period, but Carter Verhaege got the series winner less than four minutes later, off a great dish from Aleksander Barkov:
When Florida is on its game, look out. Skill. Depth. Speed. Special teams. Exceptional goaltending. They don't squeeze sticks. So much fun to watch. They look every bit the favorites to repeat, whether its the Oilers or the Stars.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Bob Maddamma
11:09 pm - 05.28.2025rochester, n.y.The defending Stanley Cup champions are headed back to the finals for the third straight year, after beating the Hurricanes in Game 5 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, 5-3.
Carolina carried the momentum from their Game 4 win into the first period Wednesday night, taking a 2-0 lead, But the Panthers got back to their game in the second period, as Matthew Tkachuk got them on the board on the power play, Evan Rodrigues was rewarded for excellent play this postseason with his first goal of these playoffs, and Anton Lundell gave them the lead ahead of intermission.
The Hurricanes did tie up in the third period, but Carter Verhaege got the series winner less than four minutes later, off a great dish from Aleksander Barkov:
When Florida is on its game, look out. Skill. Depth. Speed. Special teams. Exceptional goaltending. They don't squeeze sticks. So much fun to watch. They look every bit the favorites to repeat, whether its the Oilers or the Stars.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
Weβd love to have you!