The Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row. Their path on Wednesday night required overcoming a significant challenge.
In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, Florida rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Playing at home, the Hurricanes started strongly, with Sebastian Aho netting two goals in the first period, giving Carolina a 2-0 lead after the first intermission.
However, the Panthers then dramatically changed the game`s momentum, and the Hurricanes couldn`t respond. Just over seven minutes into the second period, Matthew Tkachuk ignited Florida`s comeback, tipping in a power play goal to cut into the lead.
Tkachuk`s goal initiated a rapid scoring burst for Florida, with three goals coming in just 4 minutes and 26 seconds. The Panthers seized the lead when Anton Lundell got to the front of the net ahead of Aho and finished a precise pass from Sam Bennett.
Carolina attempted to push back in the third period. A strong forecheck led to Seth Jarvis scoring a beautiful goal, flipping the puck over Sergei Bobrovsky`s shoulder to level the score at 3-3.
Jarvis`s goal injected energy into both the Hurricanes and the home crowd, but the tie was short-lived.
Under four minutes later, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov produced a highlight-reel play. He overpowered Dmitry Orlov, sidestepped Eric Robinson, and found Carter Verhaeghe at the back door for the winning goal.
Barkov also contributed an assist on Sam Bennett`s empty-netter. Four different Panthers stars recorded multiple points in the game: Barkov, Bennett, Reinhart, and Tkachuk.
The Panthers are only the fourth team since 1980 to make three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, joining an elite group including the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Following the on-ice ceremony, the Panthers chose not to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy, consistent with their approach last year when they won the Cup. They are focused on the ultimate prize. Their opponent in the Final could be the Edmonton Oilers, who currently hold a 3-1 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final and had a chance to clinch in Game 5 on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes` playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years. Their record in their last four conference final appearances now stands at 1-16.
Eastern Conference Final Results
- Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
- Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0
- Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2
- Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0
- Game 5: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3
Torin Vale 
Elton Marrow