The Carolina Hurricanes are just one of four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as they prepare to play their second Eastern Conference Finals series in three years.
For the second time in those three seasons, Carolina will face the Florida Panthers. In 2023, the Canes’ last ECF appearance, they lost in four games.
This year’s Carolina squad is deeper, more talented and has a healthy goaltender in Frederik Andersen. Florida is arguably more talented than its 2023 squad, anchored in its 2025 playoffs run by former Boston Bruin Brad Marchand.
The Canes won each of their previous two series in five games: dispatching the New Jersey Devils in Round One, then largely controlling their Metro Division archrivals – the Washington Capitals – in Round Two.
To open their postseason run, the Panthers overwhelmed their cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lighting in five games. Florida had a tougher time in Round Two, taking the Toronto Maple Leafs to seven games, but dominated in Game Seven on Sunday.
Carolina undoubtedly still has a sour taste in its mouth from 2023, while the Panthers look to continue that heartbreak in Raleigh.
The ECF series schedule recently dropped – and we’re here to give you a brief preview of each game.
Game 1 – Tuesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. in Raleigh, NC
What better place to start the Eastern Conference Finals than your home ice, particularly when you play at the Lenovo Center?
Canes fans will be in full force for Tuesday’s ECF opener, which will almost certainly set new decibel levels for the 2025 playoffs.
Game 2 – Thursday, May 22 at 8 p.m. in Raleigh
I can’t emphasize how important winning Game 1 is Tuesday night. Carolina needs to treat it as a must-win – and every game going forward. If the Canes can somehow head to the Sunshine State with a 2-0 series advantage, the reality of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance becomes that much more likely
Game 3 – Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m. in Sunrise, Fla.
Playoff hockey…in Florida? That’ll continue on Saturday night, with the Panthers hosting Carolina in Game 3.
The Canes have the NHL’s Loudest House, but Amerant Bank Arena knows how to get rowdy. Carolina will need to bring its A-game to steal one near The Everglades.
Game 4 – Monday, May 26 at 8 p.m. in Sunrise
Game 4 isn’t the ECF’s rubber match, but whoever wins has huge momentum if the series shifts back to Raleigh.
Game 5 – Wednesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. in Raleigh
Regardless of how the Canes play in Florida, they’ll need their fans to rally behind them during Game 5 in Raleigh. Carolina’s dream scenario is being up 5-1 in the ECF at this point, with a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals on its doorstep.
Game 6 – Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m. in Sunrise
The Panthers will hope to either close out the ECF in their home arena, or look to send things back to Raleigh for a Game 7.
Game 7 – Sunday, June 1 at 8 p.m. in Raleigh
Game 7 – the two best words in sports. If the ECF reaches this point, pressure will be at a maximum for both Carolina and Florida. The Canes will play for their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2006, when they last brought home The Cup.
Podcasts/Media
ACC Football
NFL/Carolina Panthers
You must be logged in to post a comment Login