Eastern Conference Final Preview: Panthers vs. Hurricanes

For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will meet in the Eastern Conference Final.

Recalling their 2023 playoff clash, which saw Florida sweep the series on their way to the first of two consecutive Stanley Cup Final berths, one might assume it was a one-sided battle. However, the reality was quite different. Every game, from the quadruple-overtime opener to the dramatic Game 4 winner with 4.9 seconds remaining, was decided by just one goal, a single crucial moment that favored Florida.

Can the reigning champions repeat their success? They looked strong against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, quickly defeating their state rivals 4-1. Then, they went the full distance to overcome the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs with a convincing Game 7 win.

`Dominant` could also describe the Hurricanes` performance thus far, although their possession-heavy approach sometimes draws less complimentary labels. Carolina`s formidable defense and exceptional special teams (their penalty kill is a significant momentum dampener), combined with the highest shot volume over two rounds, allowed them to eliminate the top-seeded Washington Capitals in five games, mirroring their first-round victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Despite several promising playoff appearances recently, Carolina has been unsuccessful in reaching the final stage again since their 2006 championship win.

Since lifting their first Stanley Cup nearly two decades ago, the Hurricanes have reached the Eastern Conference Final three times but have yet to secure a single victory at that stage. They were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, lost every game to the Boston Bruins a decade later, and faced the same outcome against the Panthers in 2023.

Will this season break that pattern, or will the Panthers make their third consecutive trip to the Cup Final?

Carolina’s Unsung Hero: Sean Walker

When Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky signed defenseman Sean Walker to a five-year, $18-million contract last July, following the departure of key defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei, he lauded Walker`s “offensive abilities are a great fit for our style of play.” Tulsky`s assessment was spot-on. Walker integrated seamlessly into Carolina`s system from day one. While his reliable play might not always feature on highlight reels, he`s stepping up precisely when it matters most. After effectively neutralizing the Devils in Round 1, Walker showcased his offensive talent against Washington, scoring a goal and adding an assist (his first career playoff points) in Game 4, and then assisting Andrei Svechnikov on the game- and series-winning goal in Game 5. He`s capable in various situations and has been particularly effective on the penalty kill, especially since Jalen Chatfield`s injury. Coach Rod Brind’Amour increasingly relied on his third-pair defenseman as the second-round series progressed, with Walker exceeding 20 minutes of ice time in Games 3 and 5, including 23 minutes in Game 5.

Florida’s Unsung Hero: Nate Schmidt

Florida`s defense has also demonstrated considerable depth. Similar to Carolina, the Panthers` defensive group saw significant changes in the offseason with the departures of important players like Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. GM Bill Zito`s knack for finding value signings and helping them excel was tested again, and Nate Schmidt`s performance stands out as another achievement. Schmidt joined the Panthers on a one-year, $800,000 deal last summer after being bought out by the Jets. He has proven to be a reliable asset throughout the season at both even strength and on the power play. He provided crucial offense early in Round 1 with three goals in two games against Tampa Bay and recorded four assists over seven games against Toronto. While his statistics might not be flashy, his dependable play and clutch offensive contributions, along with the physical element brought by Dmitry Kulikov on the third pairing, make him a valuable asset whose capabilities may gain more recognition as Florida advances.