5.19.23 Recap

RALEIGH, NC. -It took until 1:58 a.m. ET on Friday to find a winner, but the Florida Panthers prevailed in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final over the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2.

The Story

A full week after their series-clinching Game 5 victory over the New Jersey Devils, the Canes' longest gap in their schedule since the early-February All-Star break brought at least one positive for the group.
Teuvo Teravainen, who suffered a broken hand in the second game in Round 1, returned to the lineup tonight for Carolina, just 28 days after undergoing surgery.
Skating to the left of Jordan Staal and Martin Necas, many had their eyes on the playmaking winger early and wondered what impact he'd have on the game.
Unfortunately, Teravainen and the Canes looked as if they hadn't played in quite some time, coming out of the gate a little sluggish. Having to weather an early storm from Florida, Carolina eventually got to some of their game thanks to a power play in the late stages of the frame.
Although their first attempt left plenty to be desired, a five-on-three opportunity left any negative discussion in the rear-view mirror. Sebastian Aho found a cutting Seth Jarvis and the first lead of the night belonged to the home side.
Coming with just 12 seconds remaining in the first period, the marker sent Carolina to the intermission with the advantage.
In true playoff fashion though, the Panthers came with a heavy response in the second period.
The Metropolitan Division Champions took their foot off the gas and Florida put a push on. Dominating the majority of the second period, the Eastern Conference's second Wild Card seed found twine twice within 2:15, needing just three shots to go from trailing to leading.
Forcing Carolina to play from behind for the third, whatever was said in the home locker room worked magic because the final 20 minutes of regulation all belonged to Rod Brind'Amour's club.
Outshooting Florida 14-2 the rest of the way, the Canes tested Sergei Bobrovsky time after time. However, he was only able to keep his team in front for 3:46.
On their power play for the fourth time on the evening, a broken play concluded with Stefan Noesen knotting the game at 2-2.

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      FLA@CAR, Gm1: Noesen knots the game at 2-2 with a PPG

      Carolina's counterpunch remained on for the final 16+ minutes of the third, looking to end things before the end of 60 minutes. They'd find no success though, with Bobrovsky forcing overtime for his club.
      In the extra session, it looked like the affair had ended rather quickly.
      Ryan Lomberg beat Frederik Andersen just 2:35 in, sending a good chunk of the PNC Arena crowd to the exits and the Panthers bench into jubilation. But the officials checked to confirm the validity of the tally and instead found that Andersen was interfered with, forcing the goal to be overturned and for the game to continue on.
      And it continued on for a very long time.
      After no goal was found in the rest of the first overtime, no winner was found in the second set of bonus 20 minutes either.
      Or the third overtime.
      And just when it looked like a fifth frame of extra time was going to become necessary, Matthew Tkachuk instead put an end to the game for good. With only 12.7 seconds remaining, Matthew Tkachuk cut toward the slot and found twine, giving Florida the first lead in the series.

      They Said It

      Rod Brind'Amourin the moments following the defeat...
      "There's not much to say. Everyone feels how everybody feels. It's a tough way to lose a game for sure, especially when it goes that long. There were a lot of ups and downs in that game. At the end of the day, it's one game. We'll obviously let these guys stay home tomorrow and pick it up the next day."
      Jordan Staalon the ending to the affair and what comes next for the club...
      "There wasn't a whole lot of jump from either side toward the end. It was who was going to make the last mistake and unfortunately it was us. There were a lot of mistakes. It could have went the other way too, but we have to move forward and get them in Game 2."
      Martin Necaswhen asked what he felt of Bobrovsky's play...
      "He was good, but so was Freddie. Both goalies played great. We have to get a little more to the net. We have to get a little traffic and get pucks through. Both goalies played great, but they got a great goal at the end."

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      Bonus Notes

      What's Next

      The Canes are scheduled to be off Friday. Saturday's Game 2, and every game in this series, is set to begin at 8 p.m.
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