The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers met in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night at Raleigh’s PNC Arena. The winner earns a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Posted May 18, 2023 9:53 p.m. EDT
Updated May 19, 2023 1:14 a.m. EDT
By Brian Murphy, WRAL sports reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers were headed to a fourth overtime tied at 2 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Final at Raleigh’s PNC Arena.
It is already the longest game in Carolina history, the longest game in Florida history and the longest game in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina’s only previous three-overtime game was in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final against Detroit (a 3-2 loss). Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was a player for the Hurricanes and Florida coach Paul Maurice was the Hurricanes‘ coach in in that game.
The teams had 102 combined shots through the third overtime.
Carolina has won seven overtime games in the playoffs, dating back to 2021. The Hurricanes are 3-0 in overtime games in this year’s playoffs.
About five minutes into the third overtime, Carolina goaltender Frederik Anderson stuffed Florida’s Gustav Forsling alone in front of the net.
Carolina’s Jordan Staal had two good chances early in the second overtime, hitting the outside of the post and then nearly slipping a wraparound shot into the net.