In a pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final, the Florida Panthers anticipate the return of key players Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola, and A.J. Greer against the Carolina Hurricanes. All three missed Game 4 due to injuries sustained in earlier matches, with Reinhart falling victim to a low hit from Sebastian Aho, while Mikkola showed signs of a shoulder injury from a crash into the boards.

Carolina's defense faces its own challenges, as they likely will be without Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker again. Chatfield has been sidelined for five games with a lower-body injury, and Walker suffered a concussion from a hit by Greer. The absence of these players has pushed rookie Alexander Nikishin into the spotlight, who has already made his mark by recording his first NHL point in the postseason.