The 2023 NHL Eastern Conference Final is set to be a thrilling encounter as the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Florida Panthers. This highly anticipated face-off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is not just a clash of two formidable teams, but also a family affair with the Staal brothers, Eric and Marc of the Panthers, going head-to-head with their brother, Jordan Staal, captain of the Hurricanes.
It’s official.
First time EVER that the 3 Staal brothers will be facing each other in the same Playoff Series!
With them and winningest Coach in Franchise History, Paul Maurice coming to town,
Buckle up! This will be a fun one!😀 pic.twitter.com/7QC5xjDLLV
— Tuffy Talk (@TuffyTalkNow) May 13, 2023
The Hurricanes, boasting a strong season record of 52-21-9, have shown their mettle by winning the first round against the New York Islanders and the second round against the New Jersey Devils. On the other hand, the Panthers, with a season record of 42-32-8, have demonstrated their resilience by triumphing over the Boston Bruins in the first round and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.
The first game of the series is scheduled for Thursday, with the Panthers’ Eric and Marc Staal facing their brother, Jordan Staal, the Hurricanes’ captain. This marks the first Stanley Cup Playoff series that includes all three brothers. Eric Staal, who played 12 seasons for the Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006, will be facing his former team.
The Panthers’ coach, Paul Maurice, who coached the Hurricanes for 11 seasons, will also be facing his old team. The Hurricanes’ coach, Rod Brind’Amour, played for Maurice during his stints with Carolina and started his coaching career as one of Maurice’s assistants.
DYK? @FlaPanthers head coach Paul Maurice and @Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour spent more than 400 regular-season games together in Carolina. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/tdhk9O79dJ pic.twitter.com/cOPrGc06xt
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 18, 2023
The Hurricanes are hoping to reach the Final for the first time since 2006, while the Panthers are aiming to make it for the first time since 1996. Both teams have overcome significant challenges to reach this stage, with the Hurricanes battling injuries to top forwards and the Panthers upsetting the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were fourth in the NHL with 111 points.
Key players to watch in this series include Sebastian Aho from the Hurricanes, who is tied for first on Carolina with 10 points in 11 playoff games, and Matthew Tkachuk from the Panthers, who leads Florida with 16 points in 12 playoff games.
The goaltending matchup is also set to be a highlight of the series, with Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta sharing the net for the Hurricanes, and Sergei Bobrovsky reclaiming the No. 1 job for the Panthers.
This NHL Eastern Conference Final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. As the Staal brothers face off and old friends turn into foes, the stage is set for an epic battle on the ice.