Tampa, FL. The Florida Panthers are taking their talents to round 2 of the playoffs.
The Florida Panthers secured a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference, thereby eliminating their in-state rivals from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With this series win, the Panthers advanced to the second round for the fourth consecutive year.
“You have a goal every round, and it’s to play at your best and take control of moments and be big when opportunities present themselves like tonight,” said forward Brad Marchand, who had two assists in the win. “There’s so much experience in this room, a lot of guys that have been there and been through it and realize the importance of closing out a series when you have that opportunity.”
Gage Concalves initiated the game with an early goal, assisted by strong teamwork, when he scored from the right side of the net against Sergei Bobrovsky at 2:33, energizing the home crowd.
Florida Panthers currently hold the lead in the Eastern Conference First Round
Later in the first period, Carter Verhaeghe responded for the Panthers on the power play, positioning himself in front of the net, collecting a rebound, and converting it into a goal at 5:21, bringing the score to 1-1.
Aleksander Barkov has become the fourth player in franchise history to record 20 career playoff goals.
Carter Verhaeghe netted his eighth goal in a game that has the potential to clinch the series.
The Panthers have secured victories in nine of their last 11 playoff series.
Photo/FloridaPanthers/X
