Carolina Hurricanes (Hockey)

The Florida Panthers earned their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 27 years by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 to win the Eastern Conference title in a sweep.

Carolina's offense is generating chances. The defense is giving up almost nothing. And they’re down 3-0 to the Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals anyway.

The Panthers haven’t played for the Stanley Cup since 1996, but can clinch a trip to the title round with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday.

Matthew Tkachuk beat Frederik Andersen in the final seconds of the fourth overtime to lift the Florida Panthers past the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 early Friday to open their Eastern Conference final series.

The Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in overtime Thursday night to close out the second-round playoff series in five games. The winner came on a deflection by Jesper Fast after defensemen had provided Carolina's two regulation goals.

The Hurricanes have outscored New Jersey 17-3 in their three wins. The five goals in the second period were the most the Devils have given up in a period this season.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brady Skeji and Jesper Fast added scores for the Hurricanes. Carolina allowed just one shot on goal in the opening period. Frederik Andersen finished with 18 saves for Carolina.

Antti Raanta finished with 25 saves for the Hurricanes. Carolina came into the game with the league’s No. 2 penalty kill and denied all four of New York’s power plays to strike first in the best-of-7 series.

Frederick Andersen finished with 31 saves. Carolina will open the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders.

Raanta went down with 4:23 left in the second period with New York leading 2-0. He extended his right leg in a split to make a stop, then went face down on the ice. He was helped off the ice, placing no weight on his right leg.