Carolina Hurricanes Dominate Florida Panthers 9-1 Post-White House Visit
The Carolina Hurricanes achieved a significant victory over the Florida Panthers with a commanding score of 9-1 at Lenovo Center. This match marked a highlight in the team’s performance, particularly following the Panthers’ recent visit to the White House.
Hurricanes’ Dominance
Nikolaj Ehlers led the charge for the Hurricanes, scoring a hat trick alongside one assist. This hat trick was Ehlers’ first since joining the franchise and the sixth of his career.
The Hurricanes, sitting at the top of the Metropolitan Division, also received contributions from:
- Mark Jankowski
- Alexander Nikishin
- Andrei Svechnikov
- Taylor Hall
- Eric Robinson
Svechnikov Achieves Milestone
Andrei Svechnikov netted a power play goal, marking his 400th career point in the NHL.
The Panthers could only manage a single goal, delivered by Uvis Balinskis with a slap shot early in the second period. Following this, the Hurricanes responded with eight unanswered goals, showcasing their offensive strength.
Game Stats
| Team | Goals | Shots | Goalkeeper Saves | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 9 | 35 | – | – |
| Florida Panthers | 1 | 16 | 26 | .743 |
Poor Performance by Panthers
The Panthers faced challenges, managing just three shots in the first period. Their goaltender, Sergei Borovsky, saved only 26 of 35 shots, resulting in a disappointing .743 save percentage. He allowed 4.41 goals above expected, indicating a struggle throughout the match.
Post-White House Visit
This defeat came shortly after the Panthers visited the White House. During the visit, they presented President Donald Trump with a personalized no. 47 Panthers jersey and a Stanley Cup championship ring. Tkachuk expressed pride in being an American and honored to attend the event.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will aim to rebound in their next matchup against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night at Capital One Arena. This loss marks the first in a weekend back-to-back schedule.
