The Carolina Hurricanes extended their postseason life with a pivotal 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Final, halting a potential sweep and shifting momentum in a series that had been heavily leaning toward the reigning conference champions. Monday night’s matchup at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, featured a gutsy effort from Carolina in all three zones, highlighted by a shutout performance from veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Entering Game 4 down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, Carolina faced elimination for the first time this postseason. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour made a key lineup change, reinserting Andersen between the pipes after sitting him for Game 3. The move paid off immediately. Andersen delivered a flawless performance, turning away all 20 shots he faced to record his fifth career playoff shutout and first of the 2025 postseason. His rebound control, poise under pressure, and ability to read the Panthers’ attack were essential in a night dominated by defense.
Carolina’s breakthrough came in the second period when rookie forward Logan Stankoven capitalized on a loose puck in front of the net and buried it past Sergei Bobrovsky. The goal, which stood as the game-winner, was made possible by an intelligent setup from defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who notched his first NHL point with the assist. The rookies injected youthful energy into a Hurricanes squad that needed a spark.
Jaccob Slavin, one of the league’s most dependable defensemen, played a monumental role in preserving the lead. Logging nearly 28 minutes of ice time, Slavin blocked four critical shots and was a stabilizing presence in the Hurricanes’ defensive corps. His play, along with Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei, helped neutralize Florida’s top offensive weapons, including Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, who were kept in check for the majority of the night.
Florida, meanwhile, struggled offensively from the outset. The Panthers endured a stretch of nearly 15 minutes without registering a shot on goal in the second period. Their usual physical forecheck was less effective against Carolina’s tighter defensive structure, and the absence of key forward Sam Reinhart—out with a lower-body injury—was deeply felt. Without Reinhart’s offensive production and power play presence, Florida’s depth lines failed to generate sustained pressure.
As the game progressed into the third period, Florida mounted a modest push, but Carolina’s structure held firm. With just under two minutes remaining, the Panthers pulled Bobrovsky for an extra attacker. However, the decision backfired as Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal each tallied empty-net goals, sealing the win and extinguishing any hopes of a late Panthers comeback.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Carolina—it was their first win in the Eastern Conference Final since 2006, breaking a 15-game losing streak in this stage of the playoffs. More importantly, it sends the series back to Raleigh for Game 5, giving the Hurricanes a chance to build on their momentum in front of their home crowd.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at the Lenovo Center, where Carolina will look to further close the series gap. The Panthers, still leading 3-1, remain in control, but Monday’s result proved that this series is far from over. Florida will need to regroup quickly, potentially reintegrate Reinhart if available, and find a way to counter Carolina’s resurgent defense.
As the Eastern Conference Final continues, the Panthers vs Hurricanes Game 4 result has added a fresh layer of drama and resilience to this tightly contested playoff series. The Hurricanes have delivered a timely reminder that experience, grit, and goaltending can shift a series narrative in an instant.
