Stanley Cup Final bound! The Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5 to punch their ticket to the Cup Final for the third straight year.

Carter Verhaeghe scores the game-winner late in the third period after a furious back-and-forth battle.

Florida answers a 2-0 deficit with three goals in the second period, flexing their championship resilience.

Sam Bennett seals the win with a dramatic empty-netter right out of the penalty box.

The Panthers will face the Oilers or Stars in the Final, aiming to defend their Stanley Cup title

Stanley Cup Final Drama: Panthers Roar Past Hurricanes to Return to Hockey’s Grandest Stage

Get ready, hockey fans — the Panthers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final, and they’re doing it in style! The defending champions turned up the intensity, erased an early 2-0 deficit, and delivered a thrilling 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s their third straight trip to the Final and they’re doing it with swagger, grit, and a whole lot of bite. This team isn’t just chasing another Cup — they’re storming toward a dynasty.

Hurricanes Strike First — Then Florida Unleashes the Fury

Things didn’t start pretty for the Panthers. Carolina came out flying, using their home-ice advantage to put Florida on its heels early. The Hurricanes scored twice in the first period, with the crowd at full roar, daring the Panthers to respond.

But Florida? They didn’t blink.

Coach Paul Maurice’s squad showed exactly why they’re the reigning champs. They came out in the second period like a pack of wolves on the hunt — and within minutes, the tide had turned.

Second-Period Comeback Ignites the Panthers

Florida exploded in the second period with three straight goals that sent shockwaves through PNC Arena.

• Aleksander Barkov, the quiet killer, set the tone with a crafty assist, feeding a surging Carter Verhaeghe, who buried the puck and brought the Panthers to life.
• Matthew Tkachuk followed with a grinder’s goal, cleaning up a rebound to tie the game and silence the Canes’ crowd.
• Then came the go-ahead tally from Gustav Forsling, blasting one from the blue line that found twine through traffic.

In the span of 15 minutes, the Panthers turned a nightmare start into a dream comeback. The Hurricanes looked stunned. The champions smelled blood.

Third Period Madness: Tie Game, Chaos, and a Hero Emerges

But the drama wasn’t done.

Midway through the third, Carolina’s Seth Jarvis launched a missile past Sergei Bobrovsky to tie things up at 3-3. For a moment, the ghosts of past playoff heartbreaks for the Hurricanes felt like they might be lifted.

Then came the dagger.

With 7:39 remaining, Carter Verhaeghe — cool as ice and lethal as ever — broke the tie. Off a slick pass from Barkov, Verhaeghe sniped one past Carolina’s netminder, reclaiming the lead and breaking the will of the Hurricanes.

Sam Bennett: From Penalty Box to Game-Sealing Goal

In a cinematic twist straight out of a hockey movie, Sam Bennett — just out of the penalty box — found himself chasing a loose puck toward an empty net.

He buried it with 54 seconds left.

The message was clear: the Panthers weren’t just winning. They were ending Carolina’s season with a bang.

Prince of Wales Trophy Presentation: Party on Enemy Ice

As the final horn blew, Florida players gathered for a celebration on Carolina’s home ice. They hoisted the Prince of Wales Trophy, posing for photos as stunned Canes fans looked on.

Some loyal Carolina supporters stayed, but they didn’t stick around to congratulate the Panthers. No, they had something else in mind — chanting “Let’s go, Oilers!” in a desperate bid to root for Florida’s downfall in the Final.

A Familiar Ending for Carolina, Another Step for Florida’s Dynasty Dreams

Carolina has seen this movie before — and they hated the sequel.

In 2023, it was Florida who ended the Hurricanes’ hopes. Now, two years later, the Panthers did it again. Same result, same heartbreak.

For Florida, though, it’s more proof that this team has matured into a powerhouse. They’ve now won three straight games in Raleigh, extended their playoff road streak to five, and collected eight total postseason road wins this year.

This team is battle-tested. And they’re not done.

What’s Next: Stanley Cup Final Awaits

The Panthers will now await the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. Edmonton currently leads 3-1 and could close it out soon, setting up a thrilling rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

If it’s Florida vs. Edmonton again? Get ready for fireworks.

And with their championship core intact — Barkov, Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Verhaeghe, and more — the Panthers are poised to repeat.

Panthers Fans Roar: From Rebuilding to Ruling the NHL

It wasn’t long ago the Florida Panthers were an afterthought in the NHL. They were rebuilding, retooling, and missing the playoffs. Now? They’re the beasts of the East.

From Miami to Fort Lauderdale, the fanbase is buzzing. Jerseys are flying off shelves. Watch parties are erupting. This isn’t just a team on a run — it’s a movement.

The Panthers are now just four wins away from back-to-back Stanley Cups. And if you’re not watching them yet, you better start — because this team is must-see hockey.

Conclusion: Stanley Cup Final Bound and Hunting for More

In a Game 5 filled with drama, big hits, clutch goals, and unforgettable moments, the Florida Panthers showed the hockey world why they’re still the team to beat.

Carter Verhaeghe delivered the game-winner. Sam Bennett iced it. Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall when it mattered. And now, the Panthers stand on the doorstep of greatness once again.

Three straight Cup Final appearances. One championship. And now, a shot at more history.

Clear the ice. Light the lamp. The Panthers are coming.

Let the Stanley Cup Final begin.