Eastern Conference final live updates: Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes, Game 2
The Florida Panthers already took one game on the road from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.
Can they head home with a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series, or will things be level when the series shifts to Sunrise?
Puck drop for Game 2 on Thursday 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.
Panthers dominate again
It was an all-around stellar effort for the Panthers, who trounced the Hurricanes 5-0 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
Goalie change for Carolina
Frederik Andersen is out of the game. Pyotr Kochetkov is in net for Carolina to start the third period.
Bennett strikes twice
Sam Bennett gets his second goal of the game with 39 seconds left in the second period.
He has nine goals this postseason — tied with the Dallas Stars Mikko Rantanen for most in the NHL.
It’s 4-0 Panthers after two periods.
Sam Reinhart out rest of Game 2
Florida Panthers star winger Sam Reinhart left Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final vs the Carolina Hurricanes with a lower-body injury after taking a hit by Sebastian Aho late in the first period.
Panthers’ road dominance continues
With three more goals tonight, the Panthers have matched the record for the most road goals within the first nine road games of a postseason with 41. They join the 2022 Colorado Avalanche.
All Panthers in the first period
Florida keeps the 3-0 lead after one period.
Shots on goal have been minimal — the Panthers have a 5-3 edge — despite 34 total shot attempts.
One thing to monitor: Sam Reinhart went to the room late in the first period after a hit from Sebastian Aho.
And now a power play goal
It’s 3-0 Panthers after a Sam Bennett power-play goal.
Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen had given up 12 total goals through the first two rounds of the playoffs. He has given up eight — 8! — through just under four periods against the Panthers.
Tkachuk goal
2-0 Panthers. That Matthew Tkachuk guy finally got a goal. First for him since Game 3 vs. Tampa to snap a 10-game goal-less drought.
8:19 left in the first.
Panthers strike early
Gustav Forsling opened scoring 1:17 into regulation, scoring on a pass from Matthew Tkachuk.
He is the 18th Panthers player and seventh defenseman to score a goal this postseason.
Nevermind
Well, it looks like Chatfield isn’t playing after all. He’s listed as a scratch on the roster report. Scott Morrow is back in the lineup.
Jalen Chatfield back for Carolina?
The Hurricanes’ blue line appears to be getting a boost, with top-four defenseman Jalen Chatfield appearing to be back in the lineup. Mark Jankowski is also replacing Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Here’s how Carolina’s lineup looked during warmups...
Forward pairs
Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall-Jack Roslovic-Logan Stankoven
William Carrier-Jordan Staal-Jordan Martinook
Eric Robinson-Mark Jankowski-Jackson Blake
Defense pairs
Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns
Dmitry Orlov-Jalen Chatfield
Shayne Gostisbehere-Sean Walker
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Pyotr Kochetkov
Panthers lines in warmups
The Panthers’ lines and pairings during pregame warmups looked like the usual...
Forward lines
Evan Rodrigues-Aleksander Barkov-Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe-Sam Bennett-Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen-Anton Lundell-Brad Marchand
A.J. Greer-Tomas Nosek-Jonah Gadjovich
Defense pairs
Gustav Forsling-Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola-Seth Jones
Nate Schmidt-Dmitry Kulikov
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Vitek Vanecek
Series schedule
▪ Game 1 — Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2: Florida struck early, played its defense-centric style the rest of the way and had a steady performance in net from Sergei Bobrovsky to take the series opener. Carter Verhaeghe, Aaron Ekblad, A.J. Greer, Sam Bennett and Eetu Luostarinen all scored for the Panthers, with Verhaeghe and Bennett scoring on the power play.
▪ Game 2: Tonight
▪ 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 2? Here are the highlights of the Miami Herald’s coverage over the past few days.
▪ The Panthers have dominated on the road this playoffs. Game 1 vs. Carolina was no exception
▪ Led by Bobrovsky, Panthers handle Hurricanes in Game 1 of Eastern Conference final
▪ Why Sam Bennett’s goal in Florida’s Game 1 win against Carolina had special meaning
▪ Panthers stay mum on Marchand-Gostibehere dustup in Game 1 of Eastern Conference final
▪ How one key play highlighted three under-the-radar Panthers to start the conference final
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM.
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