The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are getting ready to begin their Eastern Conference Final matchup. Carolina has home-ice advantage heading into the series, potentially giving them a slight edge over Florida.

A battle between two of the top defensive teams in the NHL, the Hurricanes have allowed the fewest goals per game in the playoffs (1.80), just one spot ahead of the Panthers (2.42). Carolina is also first on the penalty kill (93.3%), with Florida right behind in second (89.5%). Both teams also have a stalwart shutdown duo on their top pair.

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs field is down to the final four. The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers face off in a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, while the Western Conference finals are a return bout from 2024 between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

The Panthers have a quick turnaround this week, going from Game 7 of the conference semifinals against Toronto on Sunday to Game 1 of the conference final against Carolina on Tuesday.

The Panthers swept the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final in 2023, winning all four games by one goal and holding Carolina to six goals on 174 shots in the series.

Matthew Tkachuk was honest with his Panthers squad about playing the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers, the Hurricanes will yet again play another recent playoff opponent, this time looking to turn the tables after that sweep.