The Panthers won Game 1 by a 5-2 scoreline on Tuesday, and were looking to double their advantage in the series on Thursday night. It would not take them very long to grab the lead. Just 77 seconds in, the Hurricanes coughed it up in their defensive zone, allowing Michael Tkachuk to find Gustav Forsling, who converted from close range.
Midway through the opening frame, the visitors made it 2-0. Carter Verhaeghe ended up with the puck behind the Carolina goal. Moving to his left, the winger grabbed the first of his three assists on the night by picking out Tkachuk on the opposite side of the goal crease. Frederik Andersen could not stop the pass, and was taken out of the play once the puck found Tkachuk.
The first intermission did not come yet, but the Canes conceded another. This time, Verhaeghe received the puck in space and had a go. His first effort was blocked, but when he tried again, Sam Bennett got something on the shot to direct it in.
Between the first two periods, the home team mustered just seven shots on target, showing their inability to create much, or even convert. They thought they got a goal back to start the second, but it was overturned due to offside.
Florida's fourth goal mirrored the second. Verhaeghe was again involved, as he skated behind the net before feeding it to Benntt to score his second of the match. The home crowd were loud in their booing as game was all but over.
Aleksander Barkov capped the scoring for the Panthers with 6:11 left to play. On the power play, the 29-year-old got something off Aaron Ekblad's shot to direct it in past substitute goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov.
The teams now head to Florida for games three and four. But, with how things are going for the Hurricanes, they would do quite well to have another home game. The Panthers have now scored 22 times in their last four road playoff matches.