Follow along for live updates for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.

The Carolina Hurricanes shot out to a two-goal lead in the first period of Game 5, but the Florida Panthers rallied to post a 5-3, series-clinching win at Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

Carter Verhaeghe broke a tie at 12:21 of the third period, and the Florida Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season with a 5-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Now comes the questions that are going to be asked numerous times between now and Game 5. Was this just a one-off or have the Hurricanes found a recipe for success against the Panthers? Do the Panthers close this out in Game 5 or could this be like last ...

Can the Carolina Hurricanes force a Game 6 or will the defending Stanley Cup champs, the Florida Panthers, take the series in five games?

The Hurricanes have been outscored, 12-2, at 5-on-5 in this best-of ... way back into a contest with the Panthers. Carolina needed to play an almost perfect game to get a win in this series.

The Panthers have an opportunity to breathe and reboot after a long string of games, and that could be invaluable in how they show up to the Cup Final. They could know their next opponent as soon as Thursday, but it may also be a few more days before that Western Conference finals is settled.