The Florida Panthers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year, securing their spot with a tough victory on Wednesday night.
Florida successfully overcame an early 2-0 disadvantage in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, ultimately defeating the Carolina Hurricanes with a score of 5-3. Fueled by their home crowd, the Hurricanes initially set a quick pace, with Sebastian Aho scoring two goals in the first period to establish a 2-0 lead by the first intermission.
However, the Panthers significantly shifted momentum, and the Hurricanes couldn`t regain control. Approximately seven and a half minutes into the second period, Matthew Tkachuk sparked Florida`s offense by tipping in a power play goal, getting his team on the scoreboard.
Tkachuk`s goal initiated a rapid scoring surge for Florida, with three goals coming in a span of just 4:26. The Panthers took the lead when Anton Lundell positioned himself ahead of Aho at the net front and directed a precise pass from Brad Marchand into the goal.
Carolina did manage to mount some opposition in the third period. An aggressive forecheck by the Hurricanes resulted in Seth Jarvis executing a skillful shot over Sergei Bobrovsky`s shoulder, evening the score at 3-3.
That equalizer injected much-needed energy into both the Hurricanes team and the arena at the Lenovo Center. However, this resurgence was short-lived.
Less than four minutes later, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov delivered a standout play. He out-muscled Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov, deked past Eric Robinson, and found Carter Verhaeghe unmarked on the back door for the deciding goal.
Barkov also contributed an assist on Sam Bennett`s empty-net goal, marking a multi-point performance. He was one of four Panthers stars to achieve this feat, alongside Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and Matthew Tkachuk.
With this victory, the Panthers become only the fourth team since 1980 to reach the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive seasons, joining an esteemed list that includes the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Following the tradition from their previous Final appearances, the Panthers did not touch the Prince of Wales Trophy after the on-ice ceremony. Their sights are set on the grander prize, potentially facing the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup rematch. The Oilers held a 3-1 series lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final and had a chance to clinch their berth in Game 5 on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes have been eliminated from the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in the last three years and hold a difficult record of 1-16 in their most recent four appearances at this stage of the playoffs.
Torin Vale 
Elton Marrow