Following the Florida Panthers` hard-fought Game 7 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the field is now officially set for the NHL`s final four. The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, are poised to clash with the Carolina Hurricanes in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference Final rematch. Meanwhile, the Western Conference Final will feature the Dallas Stars taking on the Edmonton Oilers.
This Eastern matchup reprises the 2023 conference final, where the Panthers swept the Hurricanes. The burning question remains: can Carolina turn the tables this year, or will Florida continue their dominant run and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive season?
To help you get ready for the series commencing Tuesday, here`s a comprehensive look at key insights from ESPN Research, betting information, and more.
Eastern Conference Final Matchup
Carolina Hurricanes (M2)
Florida Panthers (A3)
Paths to the Conference Final:
- Hurricanes: Defeated the Devils in five games, then the Capitals in five games.
- Panthers: Defeated the Lightning in five games, then the Maple Leafs in seven games.
Leading Playoff Scorers:
- Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis (four goals, six assists), Sebastian Aho (three goals, seven assists)
- Panthers: Brad Marchand (three goals, nine assists), Eetu Luostarinen (three goals, nine assists)
Series Schedule:
All times ET (TNT broadcast)
- Game 1: Panthers at Hurricanes | May 20, 8 p.m.
- Game 2: Panthers at Hurricanes | May 22, 8 p.m.
- Game 3: Hurricanes at Panthers | May 24, 8 p.m.
- Game 4: Hurricanes at Panthers | May 26, 8 p.m.
- Game 5: Panthers at Hurricanes | May 28, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
- Game 6: Hurricanes at Panthers | May 30, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
- Game 7: Panthers at Hurricanes | June 1, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
Betting Odds (via ESPN BET):
- Series Winner – Panthers: -125
- Series Winner – Hurricanes: +105
Stanley Cup Odds:
- Panthers: +250
- Hurricanes: +300
Key Matchup Notes from ESPN Research
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have reached the conference finals for the sixth time in franchise history and their third appearance within the last six years. Carolina`s three trips to the conference finals since 2019 are tied with the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights for the second most in the NHL during that period. Only the Dallas Stars have more, with four appearances in the last six years.
Logan Stankoven is anticipated to debut in the Eastern Conference finals, having appeared in the Western Conference finals with the Stars last year in his rookie season. This places him alongside Ville Leino (2009 and 2010) as the only players since 1994 to compete in both the Eastern and Western Conference finals during their first two seasons in the league.
Carolina faces a historical challenge, having lost 12 consecutive games in the conference finals round. Their last victory at this stage dates back to Game 7 in 2006 against the Buffalo Sabres. That losing streak includes being swept by the Panthers in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final.
Under coach Rod Brind`Amour, the Hurricanes secured their 10th playoff series win since 2019. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning have more series victories (11) over the same span.
Andrei Svechnikov`s series-clinching goal at 18:01 of the third period against the Capitals is the second-latest series-ending regulation goal in franchise history. Eric Staal scored later at 19:28 of the third in Game 7 against the New Jersey Devils in 2009.
By eliminating Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in the second round, the Hurricanes became the first team to oust the NHL`s all-time leading goal scorer from a series since the 1997 Philadelphia Flyers defeated Wayne Gretzky and the New York Rangers in the conference finals. Rod Brind`Amour, then playing for the Flyers, netted the series-clinching goal in that 1997 series as well.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers advanced to their third consecutive conference final by securing a dominant 6-1 victory over the Maple Leafs in Game 7 in Toronto. Florida joins the company of the Dallas Stars (2023-25), Tampa Bay Lightning (2020-22), Chicago Blackhawks (2013-15), Los Angeles Kings (2012-14), and Detroit Red Wings (2007-09) as the only teams in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) to reach three straight conference finals.
Remarkably, Florida trailed 2-0 in the series against Toronto before mounting a comeback to win 4-3. This marks the first time in franchise history that they have overcome a 2-0 series deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series, having previously held an 0-5 record in such situations. The Panthers are also the seventh reigning Stanley Cup champion in the NHL`s expansion era (since 1967-68) to win a best-of-seven series after facing a 2-0 deficit.
The Panthers now boast a 4-1 record in Game 7s, including a perfect 3-0 mark on the road. This makes them the third franchise to win each of their first three road Game 7s, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.
Brad Marchand delivered a strong performance in Game 7 for the Panthers, tallying three points (one goal, two assists). His 10 career points in Game 7s surpass Alex Ovechkin (eight) for the most among active players and tie him with Paul Stastny and Jari Kurri for 10th place on the all-time list. Marchand`s three points against the Maple Leafs brought his career playoff total against Toronto to 37, moving past Alex Delvecchio (35) for the second most by any player in playoff history against the Maple Leafs, trailing only Gordie Howe (53). Furthermore, Marchand improved his personal record against the Maple Leafs in Game 7s to 5-0, becoming the first player in NHL history to defeat the same franchise in five winner-take-all games.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice maintains a perfect record in Game 7s as a head coach, improving to 6-0. He is one of only two head coaches in NHL history to win each of his first six career Game 7s, sharing the distinction with current Dallas bench boss Peter DeBoer (9-0).
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley