Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final was supposed to be prime-time gold. Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes—a rematch of the 2023 playoff classic, stacked with drama, talent, and storylines. But instead of maximizing the moment, TNT Sports made a head-scratching call that’s got NHL fans buzzing.
In an unexpected shift, TNT handed the truTV simulcast slot not to the highly anticipated Panthers–Hurricanes clash but to the far less consequential Mets–Red Sox regular season MLB game. For fans who expected blanket NHL coverage, it felt like a punch in the gut.
According to the channel’s schedule, TBS’s prime-time lineup (Eastern Time) will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET with New York Mets at Boston Red Sox (MLB on TBS). That will be followed by MLB on TBS Closer at 9:00 p.m. ET, and then TNT Sports Conversations: Episode 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET, featuring Ty Pennington alongside Ryan Howard, Dusty Baker, Jimmy Rollins, and Curtis Granderson. The night will conclude with TNT Sports Conversations: Making It to the Majors at 10:30 p.m. ET, hosted by Lauren Shehadi with Pedro Martinez and others.
(Note: There is no listing at 8:00 p.m. ET for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, confirming that Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes will not be carried on truTV tonight.)
In a curious choice, TNT Sports has given the truTV simulcast slot to tonight’s non-exclusive Mets–Red Sox TBS game instead of the Panthers–Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final on TNT.
— Braylon Breeze (@Braylon_Breeze) May 20, 2025
On a night where hockey fans wanted wall-to-wall coverage, Turner’s TNT Sports opted to put a non-exclusive baseball matchup—Mets vs. Red Sox—on truTV instead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The decision left the Panthers-Hurricanes Game 1 airing solely on TNT and left many wondering: why prioritize baseball over a conference final?
While the Mets–Red Sox game holds some East Coast appeal, it’s hardly a marquee national showdown. Both teams have middling records, and the MLB season is still in its early stages. By comparison, the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are battling for a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final, carrying with them elite players, playoff history, and one of the NHL’s most compelling current rivalries.
TNT’s decision sparked reaction online, with fans and analysts pointing out the missed opportunity to grow hockey’s national presence. Given that the Panthers–Hurricanes series includes stars like Brad Marchand, Sergei Bobrovsky, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov, the matchup has every reason to dominate the prime-time spotlight.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes’ limited coverage raises questions about NHL’s national exposure
For fans looking to stream or tune in, the game still airs on TNT, Sling, DirecTV Stream, and Canadian networks like Sportsnet and CBC. But pulling the simulcast off truTV means less accessibility, especially for casual fans or cord-cutters hoping to stumble upon the game while channel-surfing.
Ironically, this happens as the NHL has gained major ground with its digital footprint. The Florida Panthers lead the 2025 playoffs in total goals (45), and Carolina is coming in with the league’s top penalty kill (93.3%). The hockey is fast, physical, and dramatic—everything you want in a postseason battle. Yet, it’s losing prime simulcast slots to early-season baseball?
The situation becomes even more frustrating when you consider the NHL’s desire to reach newer, younger audiences. Platforms like truTV offer an easy pathway to reach beyond the traditional hockey demographic, especially when bundled with other Warner Bros. Discovery assets. Brad Marchand, who’s tied for Florida’s playoff scoring lead, and Frederik Andersen, arguably the playoffs’ top goaltender, are exactly the kind of figures fans should be seeing on more screens—not fewer.
Game 1 is still on between the Florida Panthers and the Canes. The puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET at Raleigh’s Lenovo Center. But for a league constantly fighting for its share of national attention, TNT’s programming shuffle feels like a misstep. Whether it’s a one-off choice or a trend, prioritizing non-playoff baseball over marquee NHL matchups raises bigger questions. Is the league doing enough to demand better exposure? Are its broadcast partners treating the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the weight they deserve?
For now, all eyes will be on the ice in Raleigh. But part of the story will play out on the screens it won’t appear on.
The post Saddening News for Florida Panthers vs Hurricanes Game as TNT Makes Big Decision appeared first on EssentiallySports.