The Florida Panthers dominated the scoreboard in the initial three games of the Eastern Conference Final, each time scoring over five goals. However, the Carolina Hurricanes demonstrated an extraordinary defensive performance, defeating the Panthers 3-0 in Game 4, thus avoiding elimination.
At 10:45 in the second period, Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven scored the decisive goal following a pass from teammate Alexander Nikishin, shooting over the shoulder of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. This marked Stankoven’s second consecutive game with a goal, as he also scored the equalizer in Game 3 before the Panthers seized victory.
LOGAN STANKOVEN 馃毃
The @Canes have scored the first goal in Game 4! #StanleyCup
馃嚭馃嚫: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax 鉃★笍 link.
馃嚚馃嚘: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ 鉃★笍 link.
Stankoven’s goal secured the Hurricanes’ first lead of the series. Although a potential second goal from Mark Jankowski, assisted by Eric Robinson, was ruled no goal due to an offside call, it didn’t impact the outcome as the Hurricanes added empty-net goals from Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal to finalize the score.
In goal, Frederik Andersen made all 20 saves he faced, returning to action after being substituted in Game 3. This shutout marked Andersen’s second of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the first being in a 4-0 Game 3 win against the Washington Capitals.
With this win, the Hurricanes celebrated their first victory in the Eastern Conference Final since 2006 when they beat the Buffalo Sabres. They had lost 15 consecutive games in this round before today’s match.
Eastern Conference Final schedule
All times are Eastern, the series can be streamed on fubo (try for free)
- Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
- Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0 | Recap
- Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
- Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0 | Recap
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV
- Game 6: Friday, May 30 | 8 p.m. | at FLA | TNT, truTV
- Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV
Hurricanes vs. Panthers odds
Odds from DraftKings
- Series odds: Panthers -1000, Hurricanes +650
- Game 5 odds: Panthers -115, Hurricanes -105
