Panthers, Hurricanes face tight window to get ready for Game 2 after 4OT thriller
Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) reacts following his shot being turned away by Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen during the fourth overtime in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., early Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Karl B DeBlaker]
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes face a challenge of regrouping from a draining four-overtime game to open their Eastern Conference Final. The Panthers won Game 1 on Matthew Tkachuk’s goal in what became the sixth-longest game in NHL postseason history. It also represented the longest game in the history of each franchise and spanned nearly two full games’ worth of hockey. The game ended early Friday. That leaves less than 48 hours before the puck drop for Saturday’s Game 2. Neither team practiced Friday as they focused on rest.
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Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with Aaron Ekblad (5) during the fourth overtime in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., early Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Karl B DeBlaker
Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) protects the puck from Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) during the fourth overtime in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., early Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Karl B DeBlaker