{"id":216495,"date":"2025-09-30T12:21:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T12:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/216495\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T12:21:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T12:21:19","slug":"a-southeastern-showdown-in-the-ecf-previewing-panthers-canes-game-1-wruf-98-1-fm-850-am","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/216495\/","title":{"rendered":"A Southeastern Showdown in the ECF; Previewing Panthers – Canes Game 1 – WRUF 98.1 FM | 850 AM"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> won the Stanley Cup in 2006, the Florida Panthers<\/a> were 37-34-11 and in the middle of a 12-year playoff drought. This was back when the Canes and Cats played each other eight times a year rather than the three times they do now. The Canes won that season series 6-2.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to 2025, they are set to play each other for the second time in three years in the Eastern Conference Final. The captain for the Canes \u2014 Rod Brind\u2019amour \u2014 now coaches the same team he lifted the cup with. Time flies.<\/p>\n

Carolina has gotten rest these past days waiting for their next opponent. Florida has been fighting to stay in the playoffs. Two of the most well-rounded teams in the NHL go back at it for what should be a thrilling series. Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n

This 2023 Eastern Conference Final rematch kicks off tonight! #StanleyCup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Andrei Svechnikov (8-1\u20149 in 10 GP) is on a three-game goal-scoring streak and is one goal from tying Mikko Rantanen for the lead.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Brad Marchand (3-9\u201412 in 12 GP) is coming off of a three-point\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gokHAOdMTf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NHL (@NHL) May 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tropical Depression<\/p>\n

The Hurricanes were in a hard fought five game series against the Washington Capitals. The game was tied in the final minutes of the third period before Andrei Svechnikov sniped one past Logan Thompson to get the lead. With an empty netter, the final score would be 3-1 to boost them to their sixth conference finals appearance in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Carolina won the Stanley Cup back in 2006. Since lifting Lord Stanley, they have made it back to the Eastern Conference Final\u00a0three times. In 2009, they took on the Pittsburgh Penguins and got swept. 2019, swept by the Boston Bruins. Finally, in 2023, they played these same Panthers. You can guess what happens next\u2026 brooms.<\/p>\n

\n

MATTHEW TKACHUK, ARE YOU KIDDING?! \ud83d\ude31\ud83d\ude31\ud83d\ude31 <\/p>\n

HE SCORES WITH 4 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION AND SENDS FLORIDA TO THE #STANLEYCUP<\/a> FINAL! pic.twitter.com\/Om5qu9d1T7<\/a><\/p>\n

— NHL (@NHL) May 25, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n