Raleigh, N.C. - Before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, no team scored more than four goals in the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2025 playoffs. No team scored more than once against the league's best free throw kill. Most importantly, no team beat them in front of their noisy “can”.

That is, until the Florida Black Panthers arrive in town Tuesday night. Florida humbled with a 1-0 lead with a 1-0 lead - 48 hours after Game 7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Panthers forward AJ Greer said: "There were a lot of emotions in Game 7. Be prepared to compete as much as possible, know how many days (Carolina) have been off and they play in front of fans? It's a huge win. A huge win, really happy."

After the physical opening of the game, the team made 11 hits before making a second goal, with Carter Verhaeghe breaking the game in Florida's 1-0 lead.

"We wanted to prepare for this game. We knew they were playing in this building, especially here, so we wanted to prepare for this game, and I think obviously we got the rewards early on."

Sebastian Aho of Carolina was fined for a retaliatory fine against Panthers' Anton Lundell, who cross-checked him. The Hurricanes' free throw kills have stopped 14 of 15 games and 28 of 30 games in the playoffs until Florida scored a goal.

Verhaeghe said the Panthers hope to start the series after they threw the first two games to Toronto in the second round.

"It's a tough building. It gives us a lot of confidence to win here. We got a tough start in the last series 0-2. It's one thing we wanted to do in this series - at least win the first one."

Florida's second goal showed the night against Carolina. Forward Logan Stankoven missed a pointy chance on Florida goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky. On the other end, a brilliant Black Panther led by Evan Rodrigues forced Carolina center Jordan Staal to make a rare turnover, giving Aaron Ekblad a 2-0 chance.

Throughout the night, the Panthers responded at any time when it seemed like the Hurricane might have grabbed the momentum. Aho scored late in the first stage and the goal was reviewed, which could be a possible kicking move - Florida coach Paul Maurice said there weren't enough goals on the ice to ban goals and not enough replays to overturn the referee - but the Panthers answered on the 3:33 goal in the second stage.

"We know what to do. We know the recipe. When everyone goes and plays solid Black Panther hockey games...it's not easy, but it's hard for them."

From there, the Panthers added Sam Bennett's goal to play Eetu Luostarinen with even strength in Game 3. "They got two powerful goals. That's the difference in the game. We have to kill those goals," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'amour.

Jackson Blake's late power goal was a Carolina that could play against Bobrovsky and The Panthers.

Morris said his team handled a major shift in style from Toronto to Carolina in Game 1.

"I don't like our game tonight, but I understand. Game 1 is the first time to see what you look like for a completely different opponent. So we're going to have to keep building that game and get better." "I think they have a good chance of not ending. Bobrovsky is very powerful."

Bobrovsky made 31 saves, beating Frederik Andersen (20 goals), who was one of the top goalkeepers to enter the series in the playoffs. The hurricane hit his net for opportunities, including a sequence in which Andrei Svechnikov's hip collided with Bobrovsky's head.

"It's OK. It's the playoffs. They're trying to get stuck in the skin. I'm just focusing on my stuff and trying not to think about that."

As expected, the mood is indeed high at times, while forward Brad Marchand is in a thick state. After Carolina guard Shayne Gostisbehere shot in Marchand, he felt over four minutes of roughness and 10 minutes of misconduct and shot the puck in Marchand. Although Gostisbehere's gloves did not fall off, the two then had some close-range battles.

"I was angry. He tried to run towards me. I drove the puck to him. We had a little[hit]," Gostisbehere said.

Game 2 is Thursday night in Raleigh.