Carter Verhaeghe's key goal launches Panthers into third straight Stanley Cup Final

The 29-year-old has six goals in 17 games this postseason, tied for his third-highest playoff mark in his career. 

The Panthers will need more from Verhaeghe in the Stanley Cup. Entering Wednesday's game, they were 5-0 when he scored a goal this postseason, per Jameson Olive of the team website.  

Second-period rally showcases Panthers' depth 

After the Hurricanes grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Panthers responded in the second period, taking a 3-2 lead. Three Panthers, center Anton Lundell, center Evan Rodrigues and left winger Matthew Tkachuk, scored.

Rodrigues' wrister was his first goal of the postseason. With his score, the Panthers became the fourth team since the start of the 1996 playoffs to have 19 goal-scorers in a postseason, via Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.  

Florida's depth is one key reason it outlasted Carolina on Wednesday night and dominated the series. The Hurricanes had just five goal-scorers in five games (center Seth Jarvis, center Jordan Staal, center Logan Stankoven, right winger Jackson Blake and center Sebastian Aho).

It could also help the Panthers become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning.

Where do the Hurricanes go from here? 

The Hurricanes have made the Eastern Conference Final in two of the past three seasons but have been eliminated twice. 

The Hurricanes have quality players, such as Aho and Jarvis. Aho scored four goals in five games against Florida, including two on Wednesday night. Jarvis, meanwhile, scored two goals in five games. 

Still, it seems they may not have enough players like Jarvis and Aho, which may be preventing them from being a viable threat to Florida. 

Considering that, the Hurricanes should splurge this offseason to upgrade their roster. They're in a position to do that. Spotrac estimates they have $31.98M in cap space, the fourth-most in the NHL. Perhaps they could use it to sign Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Mitch Marner, who's scheduled to hit free agency. 

Panthers may be on the verge of becoming a dynasty

It's safe to say the Panthers are in one of their better eras in franchise history. From the 1995-96 season to the 2021-22 season, they won just four playoff series. Now, they've become the ninth team to make three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. 

If the Panthers win the Stanley Cup again, they'll become just the ninth team in NHL history to repeat as champions. 

They still have to win four more games to do that, which could prove difficult, especially if the Oilers beat the Stars in Game 5 at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. The Oilers' loss to the Panthers in last year's Stanley Cup may motivate them. More importantly, they have center Connor McDavid, perhaps the best player in the game. 

Regardless, the Panthers' run over the past three seasons is remarkable, and that's why they're on the verge of becoming one of the best teams in league history.