The Florida Panthers played arguably their best game of the postseason on Thursday night in Raleigh. Florida shutout the Carolina Hurricanes 5-0 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. It was a dominant, suffocating win that the Panthers should feel quite good about as they head back to South Florida ahead of Game 3, which takes place Saturday night at Amerant Bank Arena. While we’re all feeling good about the win, it felt like a good time to drop a handful of Cats stats that came as a result of their big win. Here you go: * This was the third time in franchise history the Panthers scored three goals in the first period of a playoff game. They previously did it in Games 1 and 3 of the first round in 1996, Florida’s first and third playoff games. * Sergei Bobrovsky set a Panthers franchise record with his third shutout of the playoffs. He broke his own record, which he set last season. * Sam Bennett’s three points in Game 2 gave him 50 all-time playoff points with the Panthers. He becomes the fourth player to reach the milestone, joining Sasha Barkov (who has 70 playoff points), Carter Verhaeghe (66) and Matthew Tkachuk (58). * Gus Forsling became the seventh Panthers defenseman to score a goal during the playoffs, which tied an NHL record. * Verhaeghe logged three assists in Game 2, the third time he’s had a three-helper game in the postseason, which sets a new franchise record. He’d previously been tied with Tkachuk. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers cruise to Game 2 victory in Carolina, carry 2-0 series lead back to Florida [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-cruise-to-game-2-victory-in-carolina-carry-2-0-series-lead-back-to-florida] Sam Reinhart knocked out of Game 2 after taking hit from Sebastian Aho [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sam-reinhart-knocked-out-of-game-2-after-taking-hit-from-sebastian-aho] 3 Panthers Who Must Shine In Game 2 vs. Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/3-panthers-who-must-shine-in-game-2-vs-hurricanes] Panthers' Brad Marchand Reacts To Shayne Gostisbehere Incident [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-brad-marchand-reacts-to-shayne-gostisbehere-incident] Panthers look to build on strong conference final opener, escape Carolina with pair of wins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-look-to-build-on-strong-conference-final-opener-escape-carolina-with-pair-of-wins] Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) celebrates with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after the in against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)
