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.

Jalen Chatfield — who typically works with Dmitry Orlov in Carolina’s second pairing — missed the clinching game of the second-round series against the Capitals with a lower-body injury.

Coverage for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has moved to TNT, so here's who will call the Eastern Conference Final between the Panthers and Hurricanes.

The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to do something against the Florida Panthers that previous teams haven't been able to do: win a game in the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina has reached the conference final two times over the past few years,

Check out our best bets for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes.

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.