Florida and Carolina hooked up in the 2023 Eastern Conference final, and it took four overtimes for the Panthers to win the opening game in Raleigh.

The 16-team field for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs is now down to four: the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. For the Stars and Oilers, it's a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference finals; for the Canes and Panthers, it's a rematch of 2023's Eastern Conference finals.

The Panthers have a quick turnaround this week, going from Game 7 of the conference semifinals against Toronto on Sunday to Game 1 of the conference final against Carolina on Tuesday.

He’s being physical. He’s a bench presence. He’s a little thorn in the other team’s side. So we appreciate everything he does.’

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs field is down to the final four. The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers face off in a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, while the Western Conference finals are a return bout from 2024 between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we preview the Eastern Conference Final series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.

Take advantage of this Bet365 bonus code NYPBET and get a $150 bonus for placing a $5 bet, win or lose. The Panthers are unlikely to have it that easy against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, but there are some signals that suggest that Florida may be too much for the Canes to handle in a best-of-seven series.

In a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers, the Hurricanes will yet again play another recent playoff opponent, this time looking to turn the tables after that sweep.