Florida’s leading players stepped up to a major role as the Panthers defeated Carolina for the second time in the Eastern Conference finals.
On Sunday evening at 22:00, it’s the second half of Vegas and Dallas. Live broadcast on TV2, app and Areena.
In the second part of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals, the leading players of the Florida Panthers once again took the spotlight. The visiting team defeated the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time in overtime. Final scores for Florida 2–1.
As in the previous match, Florida’s star forward scored the deciding goal Matthew Tkachuk, who scored with a goal advantage right at the beginning of the first extra period. The situation preceded Jesperi Kotkaniemi taken by ice.
Florida took its first win in the sixth longest game in NHL history. That’s when Tkachuk scored the winning goal at the end of the fourth overtime.
This spring, Tkachuk has already decided three matches in the extra rounds. The young American forward who was acquired in Florida last summer already scored 40 goals and 109 points in the regular season.
In the playoffs, he has been Florida’s most effective player, scoring seven goals and 18 points.
Barkov was dazzled
Also Florida’s Finnish captain Alexander Barkov played a significant role in the second match of the series. Barkov scored an important equalizer in the second period at the end of a great individual performance.
He floated the puck between his legs and then moved it with his knuckles Antti Raannan to guard the Carolina goal.
Barkov’s incredible performance garnered words of praise from, among others, the sport’s all-time best, From Wayne Gretzky. He hailed the goal on TNT as one of the NHL’s finest playoff hits.
Barkov was humble again in the match as usual. However, the sports legend’s words were flattering.
– I am sure that he has scored bigger goals, Barkov acknowledged.
– But yes, it means a lot when it comes from him. That’s nice to hear, Barkov thanked in an interview with Sportsnet.
Barkov said that he practiced similar kicks in his childhood on outdoor ice.
– When it comes to seconds, you just have to decide right away and try something. Fortunately, I remembered that move.
Florida head coach Paul Maurice stated that he had never seen a paint like that one. He heard in the dressing room that Barkov had tried that diversion before.
Four years ago against Montreal, he scored a similar goal by Carey Price to guard the goal.
– He made that move because it was the only move that worked, Maurice said after the match.
Raanta on duty
The 27-year-old center was criticized for his low performance at the beginning of the playoffs, but in the Carolina series, the reliable two-way center has caught the eye of a new gear.
In the opening match of the series, Barkov scored 1+1.
Along with Thachuk and Barkov, the goalkeeper is one of the team’s key figures Sergei Bobrovsky there has been a man in place in the series. In the previous match, the Konkar keeper, who spent seven sets between the posts, had recovered from the strain perfectly.
Bobrovski blocked 37 shots and allowed only one rebound goal at the very beginning of the match. The Carolina defender was responsible for the goal Jalen Chadfield Sebastian Ahon input.
Carolina’s goal was guarded by Raanta, who was lucky to be in the starting position Frederik Andersen. The Finnish goalkeeper played well and made 24 saves.
The series moves from Carolina to Florida next. Four wins are required for a place in the Stanley Cup finals.
On Sunday evening at 22:00, it’s the second half of Vegas and Dallas. Live broadcast on TV2, app and Areena.