Florida Panthers Take 3-0 Lead Over Carolina Hurricanes in Eastern Conference Finals

The Florida Panthers took a 3-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals with a 1-0 victory on Monday. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his first postseason shutout with a 32-save performance. Panthers forward Sam Reinhart scored the game’s only goal on a second-period power play. Late in the third period, Reinhart appeared to high stick Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the face, which was not penalized. Panthers defenseman Marc Staal then put a puck in Carolina’s empty net, which would have given the Panthers a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, but a whistle blew before Staal’s shot entered the net. The Hurricanes coach, Rod Brind’Amour, expressed his disappointment in the lack of a call going in Carolina’s favor.

Florida’s Captain Aleksander Barkov’s Injury

Florida’s captain, Aleksander Barkov, left the game with 7:04 to play in the first period after a hip check from Hurricanes forward Jack Drury. Barkov sustained a lower-body injury and is questionable to return. Barkov is the team’s top center and has four goals and 12 points in 14 postseason games before Game 3. He is also one of the Panthers’ best faceoff forwards with two goals and an assist in the first two games against Carolina. In Barkov’s absence, Eetu Luostarinen moved up to center Florida’s top line.

Carolina Struggles to Score Against Bobrovsky

The Hurricanes have struggled to score against Bobrovsky in the series and have failed to produce one even-strength goal through three games. Carolina has been outscored 6-3, and Brind’Amour expressed his frustration towards the team’s lack of scoring in the series. The Hurricanes coach also lamented that Carolina did not convert its lone power play of the game. Florida has now won 10 of its past 11 playoff games and can advance to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Final since 1996 with a win over Carolina in Game 4. Bobrovsky has a .978 save percentage in the series thus far, and it will take a full team effort from Carolina in Game 4 to stay alive and take the matchup back to their home ice.