Tkachuk nets winner in OT (again), as Panthers take 2-0 lead - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — Matthew Tkachuk didn't need four overtimes to score the game-winning goal this time. He just needed one to give the Florida Panthers a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Panthers winger's power-play goal at 1:51 of the first overtime gave his team a 2-1 win on Saturday night.

Game 1 of the conference final was the sixth-longest Stanley Cup playoff game in NHL history, lasting four overtimes until Tkachuk's goal at 19:47.

On Saturday, with Carolina forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the penalty box for hooking, the Panthers' Sam Bennett passed to Sam Reinhart, who found Tkachuk for a quick shot that beat goalie Antti Raanta high.

Just like he did when the Panthers won Game 1 in the fourth overtime, Tkachuk pointed to the exit of the rink and led his Panthers off the ice to celebrate.

Carolina opened the scoring just 1:43 into the game. Winger Stefan Noesen skated in with a shot that Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky blocked to the opposite corner. That's where Sebastian Aho found it and quickly sent a pass to a cutting Jalen Chatfield. He deflected it past Bobrovsky for his first career playoff goal.

Florida appeared to tie the score moments later on a Gustav Forsling shot that sailed through traffic. But Carolina used a coach's challenge, believing the play was offside. Video review determined that Bennett didn't have possession of the puck as he crossed the blue line before it did. No goal, and the Hurricanes maintained their lead.

The Hurricanes also had a goal taken off the board with 4:04 left in the period. A nice passing play from forward Mackenzie MacEachern — who replaced Derek Stepan in the lineup for Game 2 — set up a Jack Drury shot that beat Bobrovsky to the