Overview

• Florida erased a two-goal first-period deficit in Game 5 to defeat Carolina 5-3 and clinch the Eastern Conference Final in five games.
• Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola and A.J. Greer returned from injury for the pivotal contest, bolstering Florida’s lineup and power play.
• The Panthers struck for three second-period goals by Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Rodrigues and Anton Lundell before Carter Verhaeghe’s third-period tally secured the win.
• Sebastian Aho’s two first-period goals gave Carolina an early lead, but Sergei Bobrovsky’s 20 saves and Florida’s depth overcame the Hurricanes’ challenge.
• Florida became the seventh team in the NHL’s expansion era to reach three straight Stanley Cup Finals and will face the winner of the Edmonton–Dallas series.