Matthew Tkachuk scored with less than five seconds left on the game clock. Carolina's Jesper Fast equalized for Carolina when the third period was just over three minutes old.
Fast's sixth playoff goal was both his and the entire team's last for this season. Florida is thus advanced from the semifinals for the first time since 1996, when Peter Forsberg's Colorado became too difficult. In the final, either Dallas or Vegas awaits, where Vegas can secure a final spot on the night of Friday, Swedish time.