Eastern Conference final live updates: Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes, Game 1
Yet another Stanley Cup playoffs rematch from the past couple years is on the docket for the Florida Panthers.
First it was the first-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, an identical matchup from the 2024 first round. Florida won in five games both times.
Then it was the second-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the same series from the same round in 2023. The Panthers won in five games two years ago but needed seven games this year to advance.
And now, it’s the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida swept Carolina in 2023 on its way to the Stanley Cup Final. Will a similar result unfold this time?
Puck drop for Game 1 on Tuesday from Raleigh’s Lenovo Center is set for 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on TNT and truTV while available via stream on Max.
Follow along throughout the game for live updates, news, analysis and commentary.
A commanding Game 1 win
The Panthers win Game 1 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference final over the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2.
Sergei Boborvsky was pivotal, as was the team’s depth scoring and special teams.
Marchand ejected
Brad Marchand received a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct following a brawl with Carolina’s Shayne Gostisbehere.
Bennett on the power play
Sam Bennett on the power play. 4-1 Panthers 6:08 into the third period.
Florida holds the lead after two periods
The Panthers continue to hold the 3-1 lead heading into second intermission.
The goals have been big, but Sergei Bobrovsky has been stellar to keep the lead intact.
Panthers build on their lead
It’s 3-1 Panthers 3:33 into the second period, with A.J. Greer beating Frederik Andersen after getting a quick pass from Niko Mikkola.
Carolina scores late in the first
Sebastian Aho scored with 14.8 seconds left in the first period after a series of slick passes on their way to the net.
It looked like Aho kicked the puck into the net, but the goal stands and Paul Maurice opts not to challenge.
Bob doing Bob things early
The Hurricanes had a couple Grade A chances in rapid succession — first Sebastian Aho on a breakaway and then Seth Jarvis from up close in the slot.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped both with ease.
Carolina has a 9-5 edge in shots on goal through 16:20, but Bobrovsky is standing tall early.
Panthers double their lead
2-0 Panthers. Aaron Ekblad from the left circle after a Carolina turnover in their D zone.
7:31 left in the first.
Frederik Andersen has allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his eight starts this postseason. The Panthers have two goals on four shots.
Carter Verhaeghe on the power play
The Panthers go up 1-0 early on a Carter Verhaeghe power play goal with 11:30 left in the first. He took a short pass from Aleksander Barkov in the right circle, drove to the net and used a backhand shot to beat Frederik Andersen high.
It’s just the third power-play goal Carolina has allowed this postseason.
A lot to process early
Quick thoughts from the first seven minutes...
-This is already a feisty game. 19 hits at the first TV timeout compared to just four shots on goal.
-Defense is going to be king, which is to be expected with both of these squads. Same with staying composed. Each team has taken a penalty already — Sam Bennett for hooking and Sebastian Aho for roughing after the whistle.
Still 0-0 for now.
Lundell update
Exhale, Panthers fans: Anton Lundell is active and starting Game 1 despite not being on the ice for line rushes during warmups.
No Lundell for warmups
Don’t see Anton Lundell on the ice for warmups. The Panthers have 17 skaters out there right now. Tomas Nosek took line rushes at center for both the third and fourth line. Not sure what that means for Panthers’ lineup tonight. We’ll know more shortly.
Lundell was one of four players who didn’t take part in morning skate. Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk were the others.
Series schedule
▪ Game 1: Tonight
▪ Game 2: Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Raleigh’s Lenovo Center
▪ Game 3: Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 4: Monday, May 26, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 28, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Raleigh’s Lenovo Center
▪ Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 30, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena
▪ Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 1, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Raleigh’s Lenovo Center
Pregame reading
Need to catch up ahead of Game 1? Here are the highlights of the Miami Herald’s coverage over the past few days.
▪ To explain the Florida Panthers’ sustained success, Bill Zito looks to those around him
▪ With Florida set for ‘another great showdown’ with Carolina, Tkachuk insists he feels ‘great’
▪ Panthers’ focus on full display to newcomers during latest playoff run
▪ He has quietly excelled for the Panthers. It’s time to talk about Eetu Luostarinen
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM.
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