The Florida Panthers took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final with a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on Tuesday.

Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad scored twice in the first period for the Panthers, with Verhaeghe, Evan Rodrigues and Tomas Nosek each adding assists. A.J. Greer added a goal in the second period for Florida, with Sam Bennett scoring in the third-period and Eetu Luostarinen add another goal late. Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, and said after the game: “I thought our guys did a great job with the skating, with the whole game. It was a complete game. We’re happy with the win. It’s important to get the first one. They have a good team. They’re going to compete, they’re going to fight. We’re getting ready for the next game.”

Game 2 is scheduled back at Carolina on Thursday night.

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