Saturday, May 20, 2023

Panthers Top Hurricanes In Game 2 Overtime

     Matthew Tkachuk got the goal-winning goal at the 1:51 mark in overtime as the Florida Panthers edged the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at PNC Arena on Saturday night. The Panthers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 will be played on Monday night at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise.
     Tkachuk tied a National Hockey League playoff record with the game-deciding goal. He scored his third overtime goal in one postseason which tied Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks in 2017, Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens in 1951 and Mel Hill of the Boston Bruins in 1939. Tkachuk also set the Florida Panthers franchise record as he compiled his 18th point in one postseason surpassing Dave Lowry with 17 points back in 1996. 
     Florida has a 10-3 overall record during the postseason and have won eight consecutive road games. The Panthers have won six overtime games this postseason, which includes five contests on the road. The Hurricanes have lost 10 straight games in the Eastern Conference Finals going back to the 2009 postseason. 
     Carolina quickly took a 1-0 lead just 1:43 into the first period. Jalen Chatfield released a snap shot from an acute angle from the low left circle that got by Sergei Bobrovsky for his first tally of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Stefan Noesen and Sebastian Aho both were credited with assists on the play. 
     In the second period, Florida answered back at the 7:43 mark of the second period to tie it 1-1. Josh Mahura sent a wrist shot from the left point. Aleksander Barkov stopped the puck at the top of the crease, faked a between-the-legs shot and then scooped in a backhand shot past Antti Raanta from the right of the crease for his fourth goal of the postseason. He tied a Florida Panthers franchise history for second most with his 10th career postseason goal. 
     The Panthers won the game 2-1 early in overtime at 1:51 on the power play. Barkov chipped the puck from the right corner to the right wing. Sam Bennett connected a diagonal pass from the top right circle. Sam Reinhart made a square pass from the left of the crease and Tkachuk one-timed a forehand shot into the net from the right of the crease for his seventh goal of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

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