"Cat-astrophic": 2025 Postseason, Eastern Conference Final, Game 5 (FLA leads 3-1): Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers

For, potentially, the final time this season, the Carolina Hurricanes skated out to "Rock You Like a Hurricane" with hopes of sending the series back to Sunrise for a sixth game. The Canes finally snapped their long losing streak on Monday night, behind a 20-save performance by Frederik Andersen. Alexander Nikishin got to experience a home game for the first time after playing his first three games on the road. With Florida's lineup returning to full strength, they went in for the kill in Raleigh.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (4:39)- Sebastian Aho (6) (unassisted)

CAR (18:54)- Sebastian Aho (7) (Seth Jarvis (10))

2nd Period

FLA (7:23)- Matthew Tkachuk (5) PP (Aaron Ekblad (8) & Seth Jones (4))

FLA (7:53)- Evan Rodrigues (1) (Sam Bennett (6) & Matthew Tkachuk (11))

FLA (11:59)- Anton Lundell (5) (Brad Marchand (10))

3rd Period

CAR (8:30)- Seth Jarvis (6) (Andrei Svechnikov (4) & Shayne Gostisbehere (6))

FLA (12:21)- Carter Verhaeghe (6) (Aleksander Barkov (10) & Sam Reinhart (8))

FLA (19:06)- Sam Bennett (10) EN (Aleksander Barkov (11) & Sam Reinhart (9))

My Thoughts

From the jump, the crowd's enthusiasm and excitement jumped through the television. Even from home, it felt like I was in the arena with the team. The buzz from the Caniacs carried them to their best start in the series. The top line was easily the group's best in Game 5, led by its superstar. Sebastian Aho benefited from two brutal turnovers in the neutral zone by the Panthers' defense. I have no idea what Gustav Forsling was trying to achieve when he turned it over to Aho early in the game. He flubbed his pass, allowing Aho to break the ice with a breakaway goal. Late in the period, Niko Mikkola, returning after missing Game 4, did the same thing. Then, he screened Sergei Bobrovsky, allowing Aho to beat him a second time. It was as textbook a beginning as the Canes could've hoped for. It's a shame it didn't last.

One offensive-zone penalty changed the complexion of his game. Jesperi Kotkaniemi held Evan Rodrigues. Matthew Tkachuk scored 16 seconds later. Then, Rodrigues finished a beautiful Sam Bennett pass 30 seconds later. Before anyone could shake off the first goal, the Panthers had tied it up. Florida's third goal was simply beautiful. Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand were in sync, leading the latter to find the former on the doorstep for the go-ahead goal. 4:30 in the second period turned the game on its head, leaving the Caniacs as quiet as crickets. It wasn't until Seth Jarvis' tying goal midway through the third that the building returned to life.

Ultimately, this game and this series came down to Florida's stars shining in the biggest moments. Never was that more evident than on the series-clinching goal. Aleksander Barkov was a man on a mission. He won a battle along the boards against Dmitry Orlov. He sent Eric Robinson flying with a beautiful deke. He found Carter Verhaeghe on the other side of the net with plenty of room to shoot it. Barkov, Tkachuk, Bennett, and Sam Reinhart each had two points tonight. Bennett, Barkov, Tkachuk, and Rodrigues had seven points in the series, while Verhaeghe had six. Florida played like a team that's been here before. The Hurricanes still aren't there yet. I believe that experience trumps skill, but having both, like the Panthers do, makes you very hard to beat. 

With tonight's loss, we'll be waiting until October to play meaningful hockey again. It's a bitter way for the season to end, but there's no reason to look at this season as a failure or get hung up on this series loss. Considering the offseason this group had, being among the final four teams is an achievement. This season was far from smooth for the team and the organization. There were trials and tribulations. Through it all, the Hurricanes stayed the course. They advanced to their seventh straight postseason, won a series for the seventh straight postseason, and reached the conference finals for the sixth time. This team has a core in place with a ton of young star power surrounding it. Keep the faith, Canes fans. Good things are ahead. 

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Sebastian Aho 

The bigger the moment, the more Sebastian Aho appears to thrive. While it was all in vain, Aho came out and was on fire to start the night. His first two shots of the game found the back of the net. In a series when the Hurricanes struggled to score, Aho seemed to be the only one doing it consistently. His line was the only group to find the back of the net. He and Seth Jarvis each had two points in the game, while Andrei Svechnikov added an assist.