The Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, showcasing their aggressive play despite a short preparation time. The Panthers, bolstered by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky’s 31 saves and contributions from players like A.J. Greer and Aaron Ekblad, maintained a strong second-period lead, marking their 28th consecutive playoff win when ahead after two frames. The Hurricanes, despite controlling possession with a 56% shot share, struggled with turnovers and penalties, which undermined their performance in this critical matchup.
