For a minute, it seemed like Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final would never end.
The Panthers and Hurricanes were deadlocked 2-2 until Matthew Tkachuk scored with 12.7 seconds left in quadruple overtime for a 3-2 Panthers win.
At 79:47, it’s the 6th-longest game in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the longest in 20 years.
Tkachuk called his game-winner “Probably my favorite goal so far in my life”.
The Panthers lead the series 1-0, with Game 2 set for Saturday in Raleigh.
FOUR OVERTIMES
ONLY ONE MATTHEW TKACHUK pic.twitter.com/fY9XfKdqdn
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 19, 2023
IT IS 1:58 AM ET AND THE BOYS DID IT
🗣️ CATS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/k9eCCqrzZj
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 19, 2023
Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his second straight 50-save performance in the #StanleyCup Playoffs – a feat seen just three times the past 67 years.#NHLStats: https://t.co/7Nc25cibAJ pic.twitter.com/MmdkxzRobV
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 19, 2023
After nearly seven periods of hockey, Game 1 between the @Canes and @FlaPanthers is in the record books. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/7Nc25cibAJ pic.twitter.com/DUhpBlUfO9
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 19, 2023
The @FlaPanthers became the third team in NHL history to win each of their first five overtime games in a single postseason and took an early lead in the Eastern Conference Final. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/7Nc25cibAJ pic.twitter.com/RkzAsif0bc
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 19, 2023