Panthers outlast Hurricanes in sixth longest game in NHL history, take 1-0 series lead
Posted May 18, 2023 9:53 p.m. EDT
Updated May 19, 2023 12:18 p.m. EDT
| Florida Panthers | 3 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 2 |
| F/OT | |
RALEIGH, N.C. — Florida's Matthew Tkachuk scored with 13 seconds left in the fourth overtime to give the Panthers a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final and end the sixth longest game in NHL history.
Tkachuk's game winner, his sixth goal of the playoffs, came shortly before 2 a.m. Friday, nearly six hours after the game started.
The best-of-seven series resumes Saturday evening in Raleigh.
"It's the worst way to lose. There's no way around it."," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We'll regroup and come back at it again the next one. It's just one game."
Carolina had won seven overtime games in the playoffs, dating back to 2021. The Hurricanes were 3-0 in overtime games in this year's playoffs. It was the Hurricanes' 9th straight loss in the Eastern Conference Final after sweeps in 2019 and 2009.
It was also the longest game in Carolina history and the longest game in Florida history.
"Probably was my favorite one so far in my life," Tkachuk said of his unassisted goal to end it.
The previous longest game in Carolina history was a three-overtime loss in the 2002 Stanley Cup Final against Detroit (a 3-2 loss). Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour was a player for the Hurricanes and Florida coach Paul Maurice was the Hurricanes' coach in in that game.
Carolina goaltender Frederick Andersen made 57 saves. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves.
"He's so calm," Montour said of Bobrovsky on TNT after the game. "I think he could have played another three periods. The confidence, obviously, with our team when he's at the to of his game as everyone's seeing right now."
Carolina defenseman Brent Burns logged more than 54 minutes of ice time, a team-high. Florida defenseman Brandon Montour was on the ice for more than 57 minutes. Florida center Aleksander Barkov took 55 faceoffs and Carolina's Jordan Staal took 51.
Both teams had chances throughout and particularly in the fourth overtime.
The Hurricanes had a power play early in the fourth overtime. Carolina had several good chances during the two-minute advantage, but did not score.
After the penalty kill, Florida had a flurry of opportunities with Andersen coming up with a terrific save. Andersen stopped Florida's Sam Bennett on a backhand attempt a few minutes later. Later in the period, Andersen stopped a two-on-one opportunity, and Florida hit the crossbar off a deflection.
Late in the period, Bobrovsky made a save on a rebound attempt by Carolina's Sebastian Aho.
About five minutes into the third overtime, Andersen stuffed Florida's Gustav Forsling alone in front of the net.
Staal had two good chances early in the second overtime, hitting the outside of the post and then nearly slipping a wraparound shot into the net. Both teams had chances about 12 minutes into the second, with both goaltenders making saves to keep their teams in it.
For a moment in the first overtime, it appeared Florida had taken the game much earlier.
Florida scored less than three minutes into the first overtime on an unassisted goal by Ryan Lomberg. But the goal was wiped off due to goaltender interference. Center Colin White made contact in the crease with Andersen.
The review, as with any in the final minute of the third period and in overtime, was initiated by the NHL's hockey operations. The review "determined Florida's Colin White had a significant presence in the crease and made incidental contact with goaltender Frederik Andersen that impaired his ability to play his position" prior to the goal.
Carolina killed off a penalty on Burns early in the first overtime period.
The Hurricanes nearly won it on their own power player later the period, but Seth Jarvis hit the crossbar on a rebound putback.
The Hurricanes tied the game at 2 on a power play goal, their second of the night, early in the third period. Stephan Noesen scored after two quick passes from Jarvis and Martin Necas. It was Noesen's fourth goal of the playoffs.
Necas had a chance to give Carolina the lead late in the period, but was denied on a breakaway by Bobrovsky. The Hurricanes dominated much of the third period, outshooting Florida 14-2 in the third period. Carolina outshot Florida 31-20 in regulation.
Florida scored two goals late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. Barkov scored with less than four minutes remaining in the period to knot the game at 1. Then Carter Verhaeghe gave the Panthers their first lead of the night with 2:17 left in the period.
Barkov, Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair each have two points each for the Panthers.
The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Jarvis with just seconds remaining in the first period. Maurice was incensed by the penalty call that gave Carolina a 5-on-3 advantage. The Hurricanes scored just after the first penalty expired.
Carolina is making its first appearance in the conference final since 2019. Florida has not reached the conference final since 1996.
The winner advances to the Stanley Cup Final against either Dallas or Las Vegas.
