It REALLY looked like we would be getting a game 6 here in Sunrise Friday night after the Carolina Hurricanes got off to a 2-0 lead in the first period last night in Raleigh.

However, the Cats responded with a 3 goal 2nd period and added 2 more in the 3rd to take the series in 5 games with a 5-3 win.

The win means the Florida Panthers are headed to a third straight Stanley Cup Final, becoming the ninth franchise to make three straight. That also means a team from Florida will represent the Eastern Conference in the Cup Final for 6 straight seasons, as Tampa Bay were there from 2020-2022.

Next up will either be a familiar foe and repeat matchup with the Edmonton Oilers (leading their series 3 games to 1) or the Dallas Stars. They play game 5 of the Western Conference Final in Dallas tonight at 8 pm.

Hockey players, ever so superstitious, often refuse to touch the conference final trophy to not jinx themselves from a chance at the top prize, the Stanley Cup!

You’ll see 2 seasons ago they threw caution to the wind and did touch it, but didn’t last season when they won hockey’s greatest prize, so MAYBE there’s something to that superstition?

How about you? Do you have any superstitions when it comes to the Panthers?