Rest up - Panthers, Canes skip practice after marathon Game 1 - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes spent Friday recovering from the sixth-longest game in Stanley Cup playoff history.

Neither team practiced on the off day before Saturday night's Game 2 in Raleigh, with Florida leading the series 1-0 after a 3-2, quadruple-overtime thriller. Game 1 finished at 79:47 of overtime play.

For Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour, the day off was a chance to rest after leading all skaters with 57:56 of ice time and skating over eight miles in the game, according to the NHL.

«Surprisingly, I still had some energy,» Montour said. «But at the end of the game, I was really happy we got the win. Then it was straight to rest and recovery.»

Both teams did whatever they could to rejuvenate during the game, from downing caffeinated beverages to munching on salty snacks, granola bars and fruit. Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei said he ate four bananas between periods. Florida's Eric Staal stuck with apples and oranges, saying he would burp up bananas.

The physical toll was one aspect of Game 1. Then there was the emotional and mental strain. Before the Panthers won in four overtimes, they thought they had won in the first overtime. But winger Ryan Lomberg's goal was overturned on video review because the NHL determined that the Panthers' Colin White had interfered with goalie Frederik Andersen.

«You get the overtime winner, there's a celebration, a release. But then it's, 'Oh, just kidding,'» said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. «I was really impressed that we went back to work, that we didn't lose our composure in a situation where you easily could have. That's a statement of our group. We've had a few of those moments [in the playoffs] where we get tested and you say, 'Let's