Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk (19) gets the puck past the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) for a goal in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Raleigh NC on Thu May 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro:

#1  The Florida Panthers won a commanding 5-0 game 2 over the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh at the Lenovo Center on Thursday night to go up on Carolina 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

# 2 The Panthers got offensive help from Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe who both had three points and Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky saved 17 shots

#3 Further the Panthers got help from Matthew Tkachuk who scored and got an assist, the Panthers Aaron Ekblad and Evan Rodrigues were able to get two assists.

#4 The series now moves onto Florida with the Panthers up 2-0. From the face of it the Panthers could make easy work of the Hurricane. With their backs to the wall do you see the Hurricane having a chance to keep this series alive. Game 3 is Saturday.

#5 Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars battle later tonight in game 2 in Dallas. The Stars have a 1-0 lead with game 2 in Dallas. One of the things the Oilers need to avoid is the injury and to go behind the Stars 0-2 to start the series.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Fridays podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com