Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal has blunt assessment of team’s blowout loss to Panthers

The Florida Panthers put on a dominant performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final, shutting out the Carolina Hurricanes with a final score of 5-0 at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The Hurricanes’ captain, Jordan Staal, didn’t mince words when describing the game, calling it “an a– whooping.”

This loss marked the Hurricanes’ 14th consecutive defeat in a conference final, a streak that dates back to previous sweeps in 2009, 2019, and most recently in the 2023 round against the Panthers. Forward Taylor Hall expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “I think we’re all a little bit at a loss.”

During the game, fans could be heard chanting “Shoot the puck! Shoot the puck!” as the Hurricanes managed just 17 shots on goal. Staal emphasized the mental aspect of the game, stressing the importance of staying focused and believing in the team’s abilities.

Looking ahead to Game 3, Staal remained optimistic, urging his team to stay true to their game plan and mindset. He acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained confident in their ability to bounce back.

Carolina’s last conference final victory dates back to 2006 when they clinched a Game 7 win against the Buffalo Sabres during their Stanley Cup title run. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who was the captain of that championship team, will now look to lead the Hurricanes to a turnaround in Game 3, scheduled for Saturday evening.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, providing additional insights into the game. For more sports coverage and updates, follow Fox News Digital’s sports content and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Canfield, a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital, contributed to this article.