The Florida Panthers have been one of the most consistent teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs the last three seasons in a row, and they’re continuing that trend through two games in the Eastern Conference final.
They dismantled the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, May 22, winning by a final score of 5-0 at the Lenovo Center and earning a 2-0 series lead. They’re now halfway to advancing to what would be their third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
Even more impressive is that they’ve won both games so far on the road, away from home ice.
Hurricanes Fans Are Ready To Panic After Game 2 Loss to Panthers
The Hurricanes and their fans have seen this movie before, having already been swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final in 2023. Right now, their fans appear resigned to potentially suffering that same fate again this season.
One fan simply exclaimed, “FIGURE IT OUT!”
FIGURE IT OUT
— AustinT (@TeelAu)
Another fan blasted Carolina’s form, saying, “I don’t know what the hell kind of effort that was tonight but it was just downright embarrassing. We have got to do better than this!”
One fan referenced Carolina’s unfortunate luck in the Eastern Conference final the last several seasons, saying, “14 straight losses (10 straight for RBA [Rod Brind’Amour]), about to get swept and laughed out of the ECF yet again. Complete failure and just nowhere near good enough.”
Another fan said it was simply because Florida’s best players play like it and Carolina’s haven’t: “Sadly, Florida is the better team. The difference is their stars show up…ours wilt in the spotlight.”
Sadly, Florida is the better team. The difference is their stars show up…ours wilt in the spotlight.
— Barry Vinson (@bcvinson)
One fan said, “Unacceptable. Period. Glad I didn’t waste hundreds of dollars to sit through that mess.”
Another fan mocked Carolina’s team moniker, “Raise Up,” compared to their actual performance, saying, “You might want to miss that flight to Florida. You ain’t showing up anyway. Instead of rise up, how about show up? Carolina Light Breeze.”
You might want to miss that flight to Florida. You ain't showing up anyway. Instead of rise up, how about show up? Carolina Light Breeze.
— carlton colvin (@CColvin0811)
Finally, this fan questioned head coach Brind’Amour’s in-game decisions, saying, “Rod’s decisions are genuinely concerning, I honestly have no idea what he’s thinking. Embarrassing 2 games in your own barn. [General Manager Eric] Tulsky has WORK to do in the off season.”
The Hurricanes Have Lost 14 Straight Games in the ECF
It’s a shocking reality that a team as good and defensively oriented as the Hurricanes could have such a record, but Thursday night’s loss was the club’s 14th straight in Eastern Conference final play dating back to 2009.
In 2009, the Hurricanes were swept in four games by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The same fate befell them in the 2019 Eastern Conference final against the Boston Bruins, and again in 2023 against the Panthers.
Right now, the Hurricanes have to do everything possible to not only avoid a sweep but win a game and get momentum back on their side; the series now shifts to Florida for the next two games (May 24 and 26).
