Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers was tied going into the third period.
Then the Panthers scored five goals in the final 20 minutes, beating the Canes and taking a dominating 3-0 lead in the series.
Florida took a one goal lead off a Niko Mikkola shot in the first period. It’s the third time the Panthers have scored first in this series. Florida is now 9-2 this postseason when they score first.
Rookie Logan Stankoven was a sparkplug for Carolina, and after some close calls, directed a Brent Burns rebound into the net to tie the game in the second period.
Pyotr Kochetkov got the start in net over Frederik Andersen and played well for two periods before the third period eruption. He finished with 21 saves on 27 shots.
Over the course of 9:09 in the final 20 minutes, the Panthers score five goals: one from Jesper Boqvist, a second from Niko Mikkola, two from Aleksander Barkov and one from Brad Marchand.
The Carolina Hurricanes have now lost 15-straight Eastern Conference Final games, a streak that dates back to 2009.
Four teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
- 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1975 New York Islanders
- 2010 Philadelphia Flyers
- 2014 Los Angeles Kings
Game 4 is Monday in Sunrise, Florida. Puck drop is at 8 p.m.
Live Updates
The Carolina Hurricanes face a must-win Game 3 in Sunrise, Florida. The Canes trail the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final 2-0.
Some injury news for Carolina – both Sean Walker and Jalen Chatfield will not play tonight. That means the Canes will go with some young guns: Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin.
Another change, Pyotr Kkochetkov will start in net instead of Frederik Andersen.
Carolina is coming off of a 5-2 Game 1 loss and a 5-0 Game 2 loss, the first time they’ve been shutout in the postseason in nearly two years. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky has rounded into form on the crease for Florida. In his last six games, the Panthers have gone 5-1. He’s holding strong with a .958 save percentage, 1.01 goals against average and two shutouts.
Follow along below for live updates throughout the game.
6-2, Panthers | 9:00 remaining in the third period
After getting a penalty, the Canes add a power play goal – Seth Jarvis scores to cut the lead to four.
6-1, Panthers | 9:23 remaining in the third period
This time it’s Brad Marchand. The Hurricanes allowed four goals in just over four minutes.
5-1, Panthers | 10:29 remaining in the third period
Aleksander Barkov gets credited with the goal, but it bounces into the net off of Shayne Gostisbehere’s stick.
4-1, Panthers | 13:05 remaining in the third period
Over the course of nearly seven minutes, the Panthers get some insurance and then some. Aleksander Barkov scores Florida’s third goal of the third period.
3-1, Panthers | 13:35 remaining in the third period
After a flury of attempts on the Panthers net after Sergei Bobrovsky lost his stick, Florida scores on the other end, Niko Mikkola getting his second goal of the game.
2-1, Panthers | 18:31 remaining in the third period
Taylor Hall turns the puck over in the neutral zone and the Panthers capitalize immediately. Jesper Boqvist scores and gives Florida a 2-1 lead.
1-1 | :51 remaining in the second period
The Panthers get another power play opportunity, the holding penalty coming against Sebastian Aho. There will be a little more than one minute left in the power play to start the third.
1-1 | 5:11 remaining in the second period
For the first time in almost five periods, the Carolina Hurricanes score! Brent Burns with a shot from the outside that gets deflected on the rebound with the help of Logan Stankoven. The Canes are 1/2 on the power play, 2/8 this series. It’s the first time the game has been tied, outside of the beginning of the game, this series.
1-0, Panthers | 6:42 remaining in the second period
Carolina will have its second power play opportunity of the game, Gustav Forsling called for a delay of game. The Hurricanes are 1/8 on the power play in this series.
1-0, Panthers | 8:45 remaining in the second period
The Hurricanes continue to fight, getting some really good opportunities, but Sergei Bobrovsky keeps making plays. He has 11 saves so far tonight. While Pyotr Kochetkov has a goal against him, the Russian goalie has made plays to keep the Canes in this one, including good stops on some breakaway opportunities.
1-0, Panthers | 16:09 remaining in the second period
Carolina kills another power play, Florida is now 0/2 in this game, 4/7 for the series.
1-0, Panthers | 18:09 remaining in the second period
Carolina had a couple of opportunities, but can’t capitalize during the man advantage. On top of that, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is called for cross-checking Seth Jones, that’ll be a power play for Florida.
1-0, Panthers | End of the first period
A lot to look at in this first period, biggest being the Panthers goal. Florida is outscoring Carolina 6-1 in the first period so far this series. The Canes have definitely played better though, the shots are even at 7. Pyotr Kochetkov has been aggressive in net, which has been good at times, but put him out of position on other occasions, like on the Niko Mikkola goal.
With minutes remaining in the first period, Jackson Blake was hit hard head first into the boards. He was shaken up and left the ice to go back to the locker room. Eetu Luostarinen was assesed a game misconduct penalty, giving the Hurricanes a 5-minute man advantage. They’ll have 1:59 of it remaining to start the second period.
1-0, Panthers | 3:01 remaining in the first period
A scary moment, Jackson Blake gets hit really hard in an awkard position against the boards. He has to leave the game and the Panthers get a game misconduct against Eetu Luostarinen. The Hurricanes will have a 5-minute man advantage because of it.
1-0, Panthers | 7:53 remaining in the first period
Panthers strike first, Niko Mikkola gets it past Kochetkov. The Panthers have a first period lead for the third time in three games this series. Florida is 8-2 this postseason when they score first.
0-0 | 10:27 remaining in the first period
The Canes successfully kill the penalty, dropping Florida’s power play percentage to 66% in this series.
0-0 | 12:27 remaining in the first period
First power play opportunity for the Panthers comes off of a call against Pyotr Kochetkov for tripping.
0-0 | 13:28 remaining in the first period
Without a doubt, the best start for the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. No goals allowed after the Panthers got scoring started in the first few minutes in Game 1 and Game 2. Chances for both teams, early.
Preview
Pyotr Kochetkov will start in net for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final against the Florida Panthers.
“I don’t blame Freddie for the goals that went in,” Rod Brind’Amour said at his morning skate availability Saturday. “Save percentage wasn’ great, the goals were great shots or plays by them, change the vibe a little bit. [Kochetkov] is a kid we’ve had in there all year and played well for us. “
Kochetkov played in relief of Andersen in the third period of Carolina’s 5-0 loss to the Panthers in Game 2. Entering the series Andersen was the No. 1 statistical goalie in the playoffs, but he hasn’t been as sharp to start the series giving up multiple goals in the first period of both games.
Carolina could have other lineup changes as well depending on health. Brind’Amour said defenseman Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker will both be game-time decisions. Brind’Amour said Seth Jarvis would play and that he expected Jesperi Kotkaniemi to start. Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for Game 2.
“We need more out of him if he’s going to play that role,” Brind’Amour said. “Love it even if it’s not scoring, need to be more impactful. He’s a big body, got to use it more.”
The Panthers lead the series 2-0, but will be without leading scorer Sam Reinhart for Game 3. The Hurricanes as a franchise have lost 14 straight Eastern Conference final games, including 6 in a row to the Panthers.
The puck drops at 8 p.m.
