Boqvist’s highlight-reel goal snapped a tie and began a run of five straight third-period goals for the Panthers in a 6-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday.

The Florida Panthers use a third-period barrage to beat the Carolina Hurricanes and move inches away from the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers fan wave their towels during the first period of Game 4 of a Stanley Cup playoffs second-round series on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Alie Skowronski [email protected] The Eastern Conference final has shifted to home ice for the Florida Panthers.

When Nate Schmidt looks around the Florida Panthers' locker room, he sees players who possess something he doesn't have. At least not yet. A Stanley Cup ring. Most of them won a ring last season when the Panthers hoisted the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

Sam Reinhart did not play for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against Carolina on Saturday night because of a left knee injury, one that happened Thursday when he was skated into by the Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho.

The second-pair defenseman, who has been stellar for the Panthers all throughout the postseason, left midway through the third period of Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final after crashing into the boards shoulder first and in discomfort.

The rat-throwing tradition dates back to the Panthers’ third season as an NHL franchise. Ahead of Florida’s home opener in 1995-96, forward Scott Mellanby spotted a rat running through the team’s locker room. Mellanby then took his stick and slapped the rat, sending it flying into a wall and killing it.