Hurricanes Shutout Panthers,⁢ 3-0, ⁢to Avoid⁣ Elimination

⁤ Updated May 27, 2025
‍ ‍

The ⁣Carolina Hurricanes staved off elimination Monday, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference ⁣Final. Frederik Andersen’s stellar performance in goal and a ‍strong⁤ defensive effort ⁢ended the Panthers’⁤ streak of scoring five or ‍more goals in each of the first three games.

Logan Stankoven, acquired in the⁣ Mikko Rantanen trade, scored the game-winning goal ⁤at 10:45 of⁢ the second period. Alexander Nikishin ⁢assisted on ⁤the play, with Stankoven firing a ‍shot over Sergei Bobrovsky’s shoulder.

The goal⁣ marked Stankoven’s second consecutive game with a goal,⁢ and it gave Carolina their first lead in ⁢the entire series. A potential second goal by Mark Jankowski, assisted by Eric Robinson, was⁢ disallowed due to an offside ‍call.

Sebastian Aho⁢ and⁣ Jordan Staal sealed the victory with empty-net goals in ⁣the third period.

Andersen’s shutout was his second of the 2025⁣ Stanley Cup Playoffs. He ⁤previously blanked⁤ the Washington ⁣Capitals in Game 3 of the second round. He was back in ⁤net after Pyotr Kochetkov replaced him in Game 3.

The Hurricanes’ victory marked ⁣their‍ first Eastern Conference Final win as 2006, ending a 15-game losing streak in the round. That previous⁢ win came against the ⁢Buffalo Sabres, with current coach rod Brind’Amour scoring the decisive goal.

What’s next

The series continues with Game 5 in Carolina on Wednesday. The Panthers still ⁤lead the series⁢ 3-1.