It was Carolina’s first playoff win beyond the second round since June 2006, the same year the Hurricanes won the franchise’s first, and so far only Stanley Cup. Now, they return home, where they lost the first two games of the series to Florida in convincing fashion, getting outscored 10-2.

The Florida Panthers missed on their first chance to eliminate the Carolina Hurricanes and return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year. Closing out a playoff series isn't easy, even for the reigning Cup champions.