Watch: Panthers, Canes fall victim to video review in wild first

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) and Carolina Hurricanes right wing Stefan Noesen (23) battle for the puck. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Panthers, Hurricanes fall victim to video review in wild first period

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/20/23

Overtimes were the story in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, but in Game 2 Saturday between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, offsides became the story early.

Both the Hurricanes and Panthers had goals taken off the board in the first period after video review concluded both plays were offsides.

With the Hurricanes up 1-0 early, the Panthers' Gustav Forsling appeared to net the equalizer less than three minutes into the period. However, Carolina successfully challenged that the play was offside, holding on to the slim lead.

Here's how it looked live on the broadcast: pic.twitter.com/xmw5SXfhwK
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 21, 2023

Later in the first, it was Carolina's turn to have a goal disallowed. With the first-period clock winding down, Jack Drury scored to put the Hurricanes up 2-0. The Panthers challenged this time, and the video review room ruled that a Radko Gudas clearing attempt left the zone shortly before the goal.

Again, here's how it looked in real time: pic.twitter.com/cfdDyCvvz5
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 21, 2023

The Hurricanes and Panthers played a grueling four-overtime contest in Game 1 Thursday, so dealing with disallowed goals had to be extra frustrating for both teams, which are undoubtedly still recovering.

On the bright side, both times, the video review booth got it right. Instant replay is nothing new, and as all professional sports delve more into reviews to correct calls, it's refreshing to see the NHL's system work as intended.

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