May 18, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) reacts after scoring the game winning goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the fourth overtime period of game one in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes
(New York, NY) — Six hours of back and forth hockey. What else can you ask for?
The Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in quadruple overtime to win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final at PNC Arena on Thursday – the sixth-longest game in NHL history.
Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk scored with 12.7 seconds left in the fourth overtime, propelling Florida to the thrilling win.
“Definitely, tired but I think you’re less tired when you win,” Tkachuk said, adding: “I hope you guys and everybody else enjoyed that game, because what I’m seeing is two really good teams fighting it out for every inch.”
Florida won its seventh straight road game in these playoffs and improved to 5-0 in overtime.
“Probably my favorite [goal] so far in my life,” said Tkachuk, who scored his second overtime winner of the postseason. “Big to not let it go to five overtimes there.”
Notably, Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg’s goal at 2:35 of the first overtime was disallowed because of goaltender interference.
“This is the worst way to lose,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “There’s no way around it. But we’ll regroup and come back at it again the next one. It’s just one game.”
Game 2 will take place Saturday at 8 p.m. in Raleigh.
