The Florida Panthers are on the brink of advancing to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final. Florida put together a five-goal third period to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, 6-2, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Clamping down on defense and erupting on offense in the third period, the Panthers pulled away for a 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. The win gave Florida a 3-0 series lead and a chance to clinch a second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance on home ice.

With his club up 2-0 in the series, Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen was ejected from Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the first period, after a boarding major against forward Jackson Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Niko Mikkola and Aleksander Barkov each scored twice, and the Florida Panthers scored five goals in a nine-minute span of the third period to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 on Saturday night and move one win from a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola left Game 3 on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes after scoring twice.

Why the Carolina Hurricanes might well be on their way to the most embarrassing, listless, dismal playoff series in their 28 years in North Carolina.

The Panthers' new tradition plays on Marchand's reputation as a "rat" -- but the celebration can trace its roots back almost 30 years.