Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final is going to be a spicy affair. The Florida Panthers had their broom out, ready to sweep up the Hurricanes for the second time in three years, but Carolina wasn’t ready to be dusted just yet. Monday night’s 3-0 loss at home? Yeah, that one stung a little. But hey, closing out a playoff series ain’t no walk in the park, even for the reigning champs. The Panthers roll into Game 5 with a mixed bag of closeout mojo: 6 wins, 7 losses over the past two seasons, including a little déjà vu from their road battles this year. From shutting down Tampa in Game 5 to pulling off a Game 7 heart-thumper against Toronto, they’ve been all over the drama map. And now? They’re back in Raleigh where they’ve already dunked the ‘Canes twice with a savage 10-2 combined score.

But hold up. Don’t count out the Hurricanes just yet. Game 4 was their little moment of revival, snapping a brutal 15-game L-streak in conference finals history that went all the way back to 2009. Still, let’s not ignore the big news out of Florida’s camp; multiple big-name Panthers are skating back into action, just in time to throw even more heat into the fire. So yeah, Carolina’s rocking that ‘best home team’ badge (31 wins) from the regular season, but with Florida getting healthier and hungrier, it’s starting to feel like the storm might finally run out of rain.

Just before the Game 5 puck hit the ice, Jameson Olive (the digital wizard behind the Panthers’ content game) hopped on X and dropped some lineup heat straight from the locker room. And yes, it’s looking locked and loaded. And guess who’s back in the mix? None other than the big guns: Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer, and Niko Mikkola. Panthers fans can take a big old sigh of relief ‘cause Coach Paul Maurice gave the all-clear after Wednesday’s morning skate, just in time for Game 5 down in Carolina. The cavalry is going to roll in with fresh legs and unfinished business.

Reinhart’s been sitting out ever since that nasty low shot from Sebastian Aho in Game 2, and both Mikkola and Greer picked up their bumps and bruises during that gritty Game 3 dub. They all had to watch Game 4 from the sidelines; yeah, that tough 3-0 L, but now? They’re strapping back in and ready to shake things up again. Reinhart was the Panthers’ leading scorer with 81 points (39 goals and 42 assists), and it’s not like his magic fizzled out by the time the postseason rolled in either. He has 11 points in 14 games while averaging 20:07 of ice time—the highest of all Panthers forwards.

Meanwhile, D-man Mikkola has also chipped in with three goals and two assists. Greer’s flown a little under the radar compared to these two, but let’s not forget his game-winning goal all the way back in Game 1. So, Carolina might just have to brace themselves for impact. But if they need an even bolder disclaimer, they only have to listen to Paul Maurice’s thoughts on the value these guys bring to the lineup.

Florida Panthers’ coach makes an honest confession

Ahead of Game 5, when talking about the return of his trio of grinders and game-changers (Reinhart, Mikkola, and Greer) he put it perfectly: “They’re all different kind of leaders.” Reinhart? He’s the brainiac of the bunch, owning that prep-and-focus game like a silent assassin. “With Sam, in the preparation and mental part of the game,” Maurice noted. Mikkola? Straight fire. He’s got that fierce locker room energy, always ready to light a spark. And A.J. Greer? He’s the muscle and the hustle, a fast-moving, hit-throwing freight train who brings “physicality leadership” that makes everyone stand up a little taller.

Now, let’s talk power play because yeah, it’s been kinda… meh. Without Reinhart in the mix, Florida’s power play looked more like a busted radio signal than a fine-tuned machine—0 for 8. Maurice didn’t sugarcoat it either, calling it “disjointed.” But now that Reinhart’s back? Expect things to shift. “An elite level of skill,” the coach said, praising Sam’s precision and goal-finishing magic. What’s more? Despite a missed opportunity to close out the series in Game 4, Maurice isn’t too gloomy.

“You lose a game, there’s a reason for it and being able to identify the reason,” he said with the kind of calm that only comes from NHL playoff miles. He explained that every stumble tells a story, and experienced teams are better at solving those little mysteries. He’s not stressing over Carolina’s tweaks or some deep strategic flaw and just wants his team to stay true to their rhythm and face each day with that seven-game grind mindset. As for Carolina? Still missing key defenders like Chatfield and Walker, which might give Florida just enough breathing room to write their comeback chapter in bold, sharpie-style letters.