Series wrap-up: Panthers make short work of Hurricanes

Two years ago, the Hurricanes and Panthers met in the Eastern final.

Two years later, after a sweep of Florida, Carolina tried to avoid a similar outcome.

But in the first game of the series, mission failed. Final score: 5-2 Panthers, who lead the series 1-0.

Florida broke the ice early in the first.

Carter Verhaeghe found the back of the net.

CARTER VERHAEGHE HAS THE FIRST GOAL OF THE ECF pic.twitter.com/QJYP3vOIfc

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 21, 2025

And Aaron Ekblad did the same moments later to double his team’s lead.

AARON EKBLAD MAKES IT 2 IN THE FIRST!

(via: @NHL)pic.twitter.com/tBy14MfrBP

– BarDown (@BarDown) May 21, 2025

Sebastian Aho closed the gap afterwards.

Quite a controversial goal, thank you.

Sebastian Aho gets one back for the Canes!

The goal stands despite protest from the Panthers for a kicking motion pic.twitter.com/6hpIFQXGGA

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 21, 2025

The visitors scored the next three goals, en route to an easy 5-2 victory.

The rest of the series promises to be exciting and very physical.

Andrei Svechnikov will be in danger of being broken up soon because of this gesture towards Sergei Bobrovsky.

It’s quite similar to Sam Bennett’s gesture towards Anthony Stolarz.

Svechnikov got into Bob after the whistle pic.twitter.com/PjaIRV2Ejo

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 21, 2025

Brad Marchand and Shayne Gostisbehere had their work cut out for them.

Gostisbehere seemed to throw the puck directly to the forward.

MARCHAND DROPS THEM AFTER GOSTISBEHERE SHOT THE PUCK AT HIM
pic.twitter.com/suSJ6HgwRX

– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 21, 2025

The Canes defender was roughed up by two opposing players late in the game.

Don’t touch Marchand!

Jonah Gadjovich and AJ Greer gave Shayne Gostisbehere the business at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/hFp2NEHOfZ

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 21, 2025

The next game in this series will be played tomorrow, again in Carolina.

Extension

– Lane Hutson is no longer the leading rookie scorer in the series.

JACKSON BLAKE FINDS THE NET pic.twitter.com/j2JXNXSLkl

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 21, 2025

– Scorers of the match:

• Tomas Nosek 2 points
• Evan Rodrigues 2 points
• Carter Verhaeghe 2 points
• Seth Jarvis 2 points
• Aleksander Barkov 1 point
• Sam Bennett 1 point
• Aaron Ekblad 1 point
• Gustav Forsling 1 point
• A.J. Greer 1 point
• Eetu Luostarinen 1 point
• Niko Mikkola 1 point
• Matthew Tkachuk 1 point
• Sebastian Aho 1 point
• Jackson Blake 1 point
• Shayne Gostisbehere 1 point
• Andrei Svechnikov 1 point

– The Oilers and Stars begin their series tonight in Dallas.