Florida began the Eastern Conference Final in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 5-2 victory, adding to its success from 2023.

The Florida Panthers were already well on their way to a Game 1 win in the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday when Sam Bennett scored a third-period goal.

Referee Chris Rooney, who was hit in the face with a hockey stick during the Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs series, is doing well and hopes to return to work the NHL playoffs, a league source told UPI on Tuesday.

Gary Townsend was bored during COVID-19 and wanted to find fun activities in South Florida when he stumbled upon Panthers tickets.

Anyone who has been invested in the National Hockey League over the years knows that, as the seasons pile on, the game evolves.