Matthew Tkachuk scores in 4th OT as Panthers defeat Hurricanes - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — Matthew Tkachuk's goal with 12.7 seconds left in quadruple overtime gave the Florida Panthers a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday morning.

Florida forward Sam Bennett forced a turnover and slid the puck to Tkachuk, who snapped it past Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen (57 saves) for his sixth goal of the playoffs.

The Panthers lead the series 1-0. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves in the win.

The game finished at 79:47 of overtime play, the sixth-longest game in Stanley Cup Playoff history.

The overtime thriller had several moments of high drama.

Ryan Lomberg appeared to have the game won just 2:34 into the first overtime. After the Hurricanes fumbled the puck in their own zone, his quick spinning shot from the slot flew past Andersen. The Panthers celebrated, the Carolina fans began exiting, but the Hurricanes players remained standing at their bench.

At issue: Florida forward Colin White made contact with Andersen in his crease while jostling with Carolina's Jack Drury.

After video review, it was determined there was enough contact to warrant goalie interference and the goal was waved off. The official ruling from the NHL: That White had «a significant presence in the crease and made incidental contact» with Andersen that «impaired his ability to play his position» before Lomberg's shot. Rule 69.1 states that goal will be disallowed if «an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.»

The fans walked back down the stairs to their seats. Overtime would continue. And continue. And continue.

In the third overtime, Florida defenseman