Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20
Follow HockeyBuzz Hurricanes on Twitter: @HB_Canes


The Carolina Hurricanes are set to face the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

THE STAGE IS SET 😤 pic.twitter.com/9733vwZZWt

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 13, 2023

This comes following Florida’s 4-1 series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, which ended with Nick Cousins' overtime winner in Game 5 last night. It marked a second straight upset win for the Panthers after rallying back to eliminate the record-setting Boston Bruins in their seven-game first round series.

The Hurricanes and Panthers met three times this season, with Carolina winning two of the matchups. Florida picked up a 3-0 home win during the first meeting in November, before the Hurricanes shut out the Panthers with a dominant win in late December, and then won the season series by defeating Florida 6-4 in their final game of the regular season.

The series will mark the first time the Hurricanes and Panthers have ever met in the postseason.

It’s going to be an interesting matchup. In a poll from last article, I asked readers who they'd rather see the Hurricanes face between the Panthers and Maple Leafs, and 62 per cent voted in favour of Toronto. Florida is a team who should be able to match Carolina’s energy and with Sergei Bobrovsky playing as well as he has, it’ll be another tough challenge.

However, Carolina looked dominant at times in their series against New Jersey, and it’s hard to bet against them. We’ll also wait and see Teuvo Teravainen’s progression as the series gets going, with Teravainen still in a non-contact jersey after his hand was broken in the first round.


A full analysis of the matchup will be out soon.



Quiz Maker


OTHER ARTICLES FROM MAY

Hurricanes set to face Devils in second round
Previewing the Hurricanes’ second round series against the Devils
Hurricanes shut down Devils for convincing Game 1 win
Hurricanes dominate Devils again for 6-1 win in Game 2
Hurricanes suffer blowout loss to Devils in Game 3
Hurricanes eliminate Devils, advance to Eastern Conference Final

Join the Discussion: » 13 Comments » Post New Comment

» Hurricanes stay hot, Svechnikov's Michigan goal highlights win over Bruins

» Canes shut out Columbus in last home game of regular season, sign Nadeau

» Canes recover from loss to Bruins, beat Capitals to split back-to-back set

» Canes look poised for success entering final stretch of regular season

» Hurricanes keep rolling with road win over Islanders