Panthers Blank Hurricanes In Game 3

     The Florida Panthers shut out the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at FLA Live Arena on Monday night. The Panthers are ahead in the seven-game series 3-0. Game 4 will be held in the same arena on Wednesday. 

     It was the first postseason shutout for Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in his NHL career.  It took him 64 playoff games to get that accomplishment.   

     After a scoreless first frame, Florida scooted out to a 1-0 lead on the power play at the 10:05 mark of the first period. Sam Bennett sent the puck from the end wall to Matthew Tkachuk on the right wing. He centered it and Sam Reinhart snapped a shot from the inner right circle past Frederik Andersen for his seventh goal of the postseason. 

     Carolina pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with 3:22 remaining in the third period. Marc Staal flipped a shot from his own zone into the empty net with 2:06 to go for a 2-0 lead, but it was not allowed.