### Panthers' Thrilling Comeback: A Late Surge Secures Victory Over Hurricanes The Florida Panthers staged a remarkable comeback against the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring five goals in the third period to clinch a 5-2 victory on December 23, 2025. This game marked the Panthers' first visit to Raleigh since their Eastern Conference finals win last spring. The Panthers, who have been on a roll lately, showcased their resilience by overcoming a 2-0 deficit, with key contributions from players like Luke Kunin, Anton Lundell, and Niko Mikkola, who ignited the scoring frenzy with his first goal of the season. The Hurricanes, despite their strong start, were unable to maintain their lead, with Eric Robinson and Andrei Svechnikov providing the only goals for Carolina [https://apnews.com/article/panthers-hurricanes-score-a8882a923cd1653a457c2291f1aa7cab][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/comeback-cats-strike-raleigh-panthers-024156277.html]. ### Breakdown of the Panthers' Comeback Victory 1. **Game Overview** - The Panthers trailed 2-0 before scoring five unanswered goals in the third period. - Key players included Luke Kunin and Anton Lundell, who scored within 43 seconds of each other. - Niko Mikkola initiated the scoring surge with his first goal of the season. 2. **Scoring Summary** - The Panthers scored four goals in just over six minutes during the third period. - Seth Jones capped the scoring with a power-play goal. - The Hurricanes' goals came from Eric Robinson and Andrei Svechnikov. 3. **Player Contributions** - Sam Reinhart had three assists, playing a pivotal role in the Panthers' offensive strategy. - Sergei Bobrovsky made 17 saves, earning his 16th win of the season. - The Panthers outshot the Hurricanes 14-3 in the decisive third period. 4. **Recent Performance Context** - This victory follows another comeback win against the Hurricanes just days prior, where the Panthers overcame a 3-0 deficit to win in a shootout. - The Panthers have won 5 of their last 6 games, showcasing their strong form as they approach the mid-season mark. ### Key Statistics and Data Supporting the Comeback - **Third Period Goals**: - Niko Mikkola (1st of the season) - Luke Kunin (1 goal) - Anton Lundell (1 goal) - Sam Bennett (1 goal) - Seth Jones (power-play goal) - **Shots on Goal**: - Panthers: 14 in the third period - Hurricanes: 3 in the third period - **Goaltending**: - Sergei Bobrovsky: 17 saves on 19 shots - Panthers' recent record: 8-2-0 over the last 10 games [https://www.local10.com/sports/local/2025/12/23/kunin-and-lundell-score-during-panthers-5-goal-3rd-period-in-5-2-win-over-hurricanes][https://www.nhl.com/news/florida-panthers-carolina-hurricanes-game-recap-december-23-2025]. ### Conclusion: Panthers' Resilience Shines Through In summary, the Florida Panthers demonstrated exceptional resilience and offensive prowess in their 5-2 comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. 1. **Key Takeaways**: - The Panthers scored five goals in the third period, showcasing their ability to rally under pressure. - Significant contributions from players like Kunin, Lundell, and Reinhart were crucial to the win. - The Panthers' recent form indicates a strong push as they continue their season. 2. **Future Implications**: - This victory solidifies the Panthers' position as a competitive team in the league, with momentum building as they head into the holiday season [https://kdhnews.com/sports/nhl/panthers-rally-with-five-goal-third-period-beat-hurricanes-5-2/article_2581de2f-8476-5a95-9351-5b1745339ddc.html][https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/sam_reinhart_directs_panthers_attack_in_comeback_win_vs_hurricanes/s1_17050_43244491].