In a surprising move, Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice proposed a change to the traditional NHL handshake line, suggesting that only players participate, leaving out coaches and staff. Following Carolina Hurricanes' coach Rod Brind'Amour's agreement to this new tradition after losing to the Panthers, he later expressed his disagreement, emphasizing the handshake's significance in showing respect and celebrating the spirit of competition.

Brind'Amour reflected on the emotional moments exchanged during the handshake, recalling past connections with players he once coached. Maurice, however, sees the change as a way to highlight the players' accomplishments, arguing that the presence of numerous staff dilutes the moment's impact. As the Panthers prepare for the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, the debate over this handshake tradition continues.

The Carolina Hurricanes are at a crossroads as they evaluate their roster's composition following their recent playoff performance. Discussing the situation, Elliotte Friedman highlighted the need for a reevaluation of the team's strategy and player dynamics. The Hurricanes, noted for their straight-line, hard-nosed play, have been criticized for their lack of size, which could hinder their competitiveness in future playoff scenarios.

Friedman suggests that changes are necessary, whether they ultimately progress further in the playoffs or not. He recalls advice from Glen Sather regarding maintaining a fresh outlook even after success. The Hurricanes' management, particularly under their involved owner, might pursue significant roster modifications to enhance their playoff resilience, especially in comparison to physically dominant teams like Florida and Tampa Bay.

Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Final is set for Wednesday as the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Florida Panthers at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. Following a dramatic Game 4, where Carolina fought off elimination with a decisive 3-0 victory, the stage is set for an intense showdown. The Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen delivered an impressive 20-save shutout, while Florida enters as a slight favorite at -116 on the money line.

With the over/under set at 5.5 goals, the Panthers are favored by 1.5 goals (+208) on the puck line, indicating a competitive matchup ahead. SportsLine's projection model has shown strong results, simulating every NHL game 10,000 times with a positive return for bettors following its picks. Fans seeking player props can keep an eye on key performances from players like Aaron Ekblad and Sebastian Aho, who both look to impact the game significantly.

Despite coming off a strong playoff run, the Florida Panthers faced a setback in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, losing 3-0. This defeat could have clinched the series for Florida, securing a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov acknowledged the team's performance lacked its usual energy, stating, “We just didn’t have it (Monday).” Coach Paul Maurice emphasized that the power play's struggles, particularly in the absence of key player Sam Reinhart, have hindered their recent effectiveness.

The Panthers still lead the series 3-1 and have another chance to advance in Game 5. Carolina, eager to capitalize on their newfound momentum, demonstrated urgency and effort that had previously been missing in the series. Coach Rod Brind’Amour recognized the need to keep pressing, noting that the Hurricanes will not back down easily. With injuries impacting the Panthers, the upcoming games will be critical for their playoff aspirations.