The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes took a day off to recover after the record-breaking Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoff series. The game went on for 79 minutes and 47 seconds of overtime play, making it the sixth-longest game in the history of the playoffs. The Panthers won the game with a score of 3-2 in a quadruple-overtime thriller.
During the game, both teams did everything they could to rejuvenate themselves. They drank caffeinated beverages and ate salty snacks, granola bars, and fruit. Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei ate four bananas between periods, while Florida’s Eric Staal ate apples and oranges, saying that he would burp up bananas.
The physical toll was one aspect of the game, but the emotional and mental strain was also significant. The Panthers thought they had won in the first overtime, but winger Ryan Lomberg’s goal was overturned on video review because the NHL determined that the Panthers’ Colin White had interfered with goalie Frederik Andersen. Panthers coach Paul Maurice was impressed with how his team handled the situation, saying that they did not lose their composure in a situation where they easily could have.
For the Hurricanes, the only thing to do after the devastating loss was to get back to work. Hurricanes forward Stefan Noesen said the game was “a tough one to swallow,” but the exhaustion of four overtimes led to a better-than-usual night of sleep. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said the four-overtime game changed the plans for the Hurricanes’ off-day. The players rested at home instead of coming to PNC Arena for an optional skate or meetings.
Goalies’ Performance and Load Management Decision
Goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Andersen played for 139 minutes and 47 seconds and 139 minutes and 43 seconds, respectively. Maurice said he has no concerns about running Bobrovsky back for Game 2. However, Brind’Amour said he won’t know Andersen’s status until Saturday. The Hurricanes have a capable backup goalie in Antti Raanta, who has stellar numbers on home ice, in case they want to give Andersen time to recuperate for the rest of the series.
Brind’Amour indicated that load management might not come into play for his skaters. He mentioned defenseman Brent Burns, who played over 54 minutes in Game 1, saying that he would punch him in the face if he confronted him about load management. Brind’Amour believes that players play for these moments and that they are in good shape.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour said the day off was a chance to rest after leading all skaters with 57 minutes and 56 seconds of ice time and skating over eight miles in the game. Montour was surprised to find that he still had some energy left. He was happy that they won the game, and he went straight to rest and recovery. Staal believes that both teams will bounce back and be ready to go for Game 2.
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