The Carolina Hurricanes will play the Toronto Maple Leafs or Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes advanced to the conference final for the second time in three seasons by defeating the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 of the second round in Washington on Thursday.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, three Florida defensemen scored and the Panthers routed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Florida Panthers have won three straight games against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs, taking a 3-2 series lead. Despite going down 2-0 to start the series, the Panthers haven't flinched and now sit one win from advancing back to the Eastern Conference Final.