Panthers Look To Defend Sunrise From Upcoming Storm In ECF

SUNRISE, FL – Getting deja vu? If you were around for 2023, the Florida Panthers on the verge of sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes should be nothing new. Still, the Panthers will look to defend Sunrise in Game Three of the ECF tonight at 8 pm. In what we’ve seen in the first two games so far, Florida should have the upper hand at the Amerant Bank Arena.

Florida has treated this series like a formality after taking on Tampa Bay and Toronto just to get here. They have been brutal against the Hurricanes this series, dropping 10 goals in two games. After allowing two goals in Game One, they shut down Carolina’s offense in Game Two.

ALL CATS, NO BRAKES!
The Panthers dominate with a statement 5-0 win in Carolina! They return to Sunrise with a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.#TimeToHunt | #FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/LR4NRMGrBL

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) May 23, 2025

This is not to say Carolina doesn’t deserve to be here. They won their pair or series against New Jersey and Washington, but the Devils and Capitals just don’t compare to the Lightning and Maple Leafs. With how this series has begun, it feels more like the Florida vs Toronto series was the true Eastern Conference Final.

Always Someone To Rely On

On paper, this series seems like it would be even. Both teams share similar play styles on offense and defense. When it comes to their forecheck, dumping in pucks to the offensive zone, and denying power play goals, both teams tend to excel at that. The big difference is Florida’s remarkable depth. They feature the most goal scorers in the postseason who happen to be DEFENSEMEN.

Even if some of their biggest stars like Matthew Tkachuk have had underwhelming games stat-wise, the next-man-up mentality this team has has lifted them through it all. When you need a blend of offense and defense, rely on Seth Jones. When you need goals in a pinch, look to Carter Varhaeghe. And if you need someone to be a menace, Brad Marchand can make it happen.

The Reino Needs To Rest

They might need their depth to shine more than ever, however.

Paul Maurice again said this morning that he won’t have an update on Sam Reinhart until tomorrow. Reinhart left the game last night in the first period with a lower-body injury.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 23, 2025

Sam Reinhart suffered a big hit to the lower body by Sebastian Aho early in Game Two. He didn’t return to the game after that hit. An update was supposed to come out today on his status, but that never happened. Likely, he won’t appear in Game Three, but even worse than that would be if he can’t return this postseason.

Regardless, it’ll take more than that for Florida to flounder against Carolina. The Hurricanes tend to be their worst enemy in the Eastern Conference Final. They have lost their 14th straight ECF game, a horrifying streak that goes back to 2009. The last time they won an ECF was back in 2006. It brings up an interesting question.

Would you prefer your team to miss the ECF or to get there and be swept?

Florida won’t have to worry about being swept, but they have an ECF to close out. Florida will look to defend Sunrise at 8pm and the game can be seen on TNT.