Exciting Live Coverage: Hurricanes vs. Panthers ECF Game 4 – Don’t Miss a Moment on WRALSportsFan.com!

By WRAL Sports, TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Carolina Hurricanes celebrated a much-needed victory, beating the Florida Panthers 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Final. Despite the win, Carolina still trails the series 3-1. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Raleigh at the Lenovo Center.

In this game, Carolina’s defense showed up strong, holding the Panthers scoreless in the first period for the first time in the series. The game turned when two rookies, Alexander Nikishin and Logan Stankoven, teamed up for a goal. Nikishin got his first NHL point, and Stankoven added his fifth goal of the playoffs. Carolina sealed the deal with two empty-net goals from Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal.

Goalie Frederik Andersen returned to form, making 20 saves for his second shutout of the playoffs. Carolina is now aiming to become one of only five teams in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 series deficit to win in seven games.

Interestingly, only four teams have successfully achieved this comeback in history: the Toronto Maple Leafs (1942), New York Islanders (1975), Philadelphia Flyers (2010), and Los Angeles Kings (2014). The odds are stacked against the Hurricanes, with a mere 1.9% success rate for teams down 3-0.

As Carolina gears up for Game 4, the stakes are incredibly high. If they lose, their season is over and Florida will advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive time. Carolina’s recent playoff history isn’t kind; they know what it’s like to be on the brink, having faced similar challenges in past seasons.

Carolina was missing defensemen Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker due to injuries, a blow to their already pressured roster. Still, Frederik Andersen’s consistent performances, with a goals-against average of 2.01 and a .907 save percentage this postseason, give fans some hope.

Carolina’s scoring lineup is also impressive, with Seth Jarvis leading the team with 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists). Sebastian Aho closely follows, and Andrei Svechnikov still aims to find the net after leading the team with 8 goals earlier this postseason.

Moreover, the Panthers boast a strong record, winning 9 of 11 postseason games when they score first. Meanwhile, Carolina has proven resilient, maintaining a perfect record when they grab the lead early.

This series reflects the competitive spirit of hockey. Fans can expect intense rivalries and surprising turns as teams navigate the high stakes of the playoffs. With so much on the line, both teams are showcasing their best. In the world of sports, every game matters, and this one is no different.

In hockey, sometimes all it takes is one moment, one goal, to change the course of a series. For Carolina, that moment is now.

For more on NHL playoffs, visit AP NHL playoffs.

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Carolina Hurricanes,Florida Panthers,NHL Playoffs