Hurricanes Fall Behind Early in Game 2 Against Panthers

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes fell behind early, trailing the Florida Panthers 3-0 after the first period of Game 2 on Thursday at the Lenovo Center.

Florida scored just 80 seconds into the game after Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov turned over the puck in the Hurricanes’ zone. Gustav Forsling netted his first goal of the playoffs with assists from Matthew Tkachuk.

Later in the period, a 2-on-1 play in front of Carolina’s net allowed Tkachuk to score, extending Florida’s lead to 2-0. The Panthers scored again on a power play after Svechnikov was penalized for roughing, with Sam Bennett deflecting a shot past goaltender Frederik Andersen for a third goal.

Andersen, who had a 1.36 goals against average in the postseason before this game, allowed three goals on just five shots in the first period. Carolina has now failed to score first in six postseason games, falling to 3-3 when doing so.

“Getting out ahead would be great,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said prior to the game. “If you can get them off their game by making them chase the game, that’d be great.”

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes’ best chance came shorthanded, with a shot from Jordan Martinook stopped by Florida’s goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Hurricanes were missing defenseman Jalen Chatfield for the third straight game, which Brind’Amour acknowledged as a significant loss. Chatfield’s absence has been felt on Carolina’s defensively and on their league-best penalty kill.

In his place, Scott Morrow made his second consecutive playoff appearance, though played less than any other Carolina defenseman in Game 1 against the Panthers.

Carolina’s roster also featured Mark Jankowski, who replaced Jesperi Kotkaniemi after a lackluster performance in the previous series. Jankowski, however, has struggled to make an impact, having only one assist this postseason.

Game 2 concluded with the Hurricanes facing an uphill battle, as they aim to rebound in the upcoming games. Carolina and Florida are scheduled to play again on Saturday, May 24, in Florida.