SUNRISE, Fla. — The Carolina Hurricanes are on the ropes after dropping Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers 1-0 on Monday.
A sensational 32-save performance from Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky — in the first postseason shutout of his career — did most of the damage in Carolina’s loss, which put the Hurricanes in a 3-0 hole. Still, the defeat didn’t come without some controversy.
The Hurricanes trailed 1-0 late in the third period when forward Sam Reinhart — who scored the game’s only goal on a second-period power play — appeared to high stick Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the face. That was right before Panthers defenseman Marc Staal put a puck in Carolina’s empty net that would have given the Panthers a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
Upon review, it was judged that a whistle blew before Staal’s shot entered the net, but there was no penalty assessed on Reinhart for the play on Gostisbehere. Play continued, and Carolina ultimately recorded its third straight loss.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the game he wasn’t thrilled with the lack of a call going in Carolina’s favor.
“It’s tough for me. I could go on all day on that,” he said. “We got [called for] three knickknack penalties on sticks to the hand. … Especially when they stop the play [after Gostisbehere was hit]. I don’t understand that. You stop it because you saw a high stick. Why are you stopping the play then? I don’t know. No explanation, just move on.”
That’s all the Hurricanes can do. Brind’Amour lamented that Carolina didn’t convert its lone power play of the game, and its general struggles scoring on Bobrovsky in the series. Through three games, Hurricanes forwards have failed to produce one even-strength goal, and Carolina has been outscored 6-3.
“How are you not…
