VERHAEGHE'S FIVE-POINT NIGHT PROPELS FLORIDA TO GAME 5 VICTORY, TAKES 3-2 SERIES LEAD

The Florida Panthers overcame a three-goal deficit on Wednesday night and scored five straight to take Game 5, 5-3, and now lead the series, 3-2.

The Panthers were without the services of forward Mason Marchment, who was out of the lineup with a lower-body injury. Marchment didn't skate on a Wednesday morning and was a game-time decision. With Marchment out, 27-year-old Maxim Mamin drew in and made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.

No Mason Marchment for FLA tonight. Out with injury— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 11, 2022

Washington was in the drivers seat, holding a 3-0 lead just under four minutes into the second period with goals courtesy of T.J. Oshie (x2) and Justin Schultz.

Then the Panthers stormed back, scoring five in a row from Carter Verhaeghe (x2), Patric Hornqvist, Sam Reinhart and Claude Giroux.

Carter Verhaeghe has been the MVP of the series so far. Coming into Wednesday night, he had five points, then added another five points in Game 5 and is now tied with Cale Makar for most points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now.

With his five points, Verhaeghe set a Florida Panthers franchise record for most points in a single playoff game.

Carter Verhaeghe (2-3—5) set a @FlaPanthers franchise record for most points in a playoff game, helping his team complete the three-goal comeback win. 🔥#NHLStats: https://t.co/tWOMhQ7IQY pic.twitter.com/CZFf5Mnfyf— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 12, 2022

Puck drop for Game 6 in Washington is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night. The game can be viewed on Sportsnet360 in Canada and TBS in the United States.

With a victory, the Panthers will win their first series since the 1996 Eastern Conference Final and it would be only their fourth series win in franchise history.

Full Game 5 highlights can be found below (from Sportsnet).