The Florida Panthers will try to sweep the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final Wednesday in FLA Live Arena.
The Panthers shut out the shellshocked Hurricanes 1-0 in Game 3 on Monday. Goalie Sergei Bobrosvky stopped 32 shots, and Sam Reinhart scored the game’s only goal on the power play midway through the second period.
Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen made 16 saves in defeat. Carolina has just three goals in the series, just one at 5-on-5, and will enter Game 4 nursing a scoreless drought of 120:08.
Here’s a look at what to expect for Game 4 between Carolina and Florida.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Odds
NHL East final Game 4 lines are current as of Tuesday, May 23, at noon ET and reference DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Panthers (-120) • Hurricanes (+100)
- Puck Line: Panthers -1.5 (+210) • Hurricanes +1.5 (-250)
- Total Goals: Over 5.5 (+105) • Under 5.5 (-125)
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Prediction
Panthers 3, Hurricanes 1
Somehow Bobrovsky’s 32-save shutout in Game 3 was his first of his 64-game postseason career. I can’t predict another shutout, since even the Hurricanes’ snakebit offense can still put up at least one goal, but Bobrovsky is clearly in Carolina’s head.
The only way Florida doesn’t win Game 4 is if Andersen steals it. He’s been great, and does have three career playoff shutouts, but has never authored a memorable game-stealing, stand-on-his-head performance in the playoffs before, so it’d be hard to imagine he’ll do so in Game 4.
This series isn’t on Andersen, or Game 2 starter Antti Raanta for that matter. Carolina’s offensive woes finally caught up with it, and the way Bobrovsky is playing, it may not have mattered anyway.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Best Bets
Under 5.5 Goals (-125)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units
The surest bet of all the playoffs is the Under in the Eastern Conference final. These teams have combined for nine goals over 13-plus periods through three games, and the Over has only really been in jeopardy once — when Florida and Carolina each had a goal disallowed in the first period of Game 2.
Andersen and Bobrovsky are on another planet right now, with the latter stopping 116 of the past 118 shots over the past 11 periods and 67 in a row over the past two games.
The defenses have been great, since Carolina only allowed 17 shots in Game 3. Look for another low-scoring affair as our NHL bet of the day.
Panthers ML (-120)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
I can’t foresee Bobrovsky pitching a second straight shutout, but I also don’t see how Carolina is going to get goals with its current lineup. The Hurricanes had an NHL-high 59 goals from defensemen during the regular season, plus eight more in the playoffs, which covered for their hard-working yet offensively challenged forward group.
The Panthers have an array of goal scorers who can, and have, beaten Carolina. Matthew Tkachuk may get the post press thanks to his two game-winning goals, but forwards Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe, Aleksander Barkov, and Reinhart have all been dangerous in the series.
Based on how each team is going, you’d have to believe the Panthers will cap the sweep in Game 4.
Panthers -1.5 (+210)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
Will this series really end with four one-goal games? I doubt it.
The Hurricanes are going to need to be extra desperate in order to ward off the sweep, which means if they’re trailing in the third period they’ll need to activate their defense even more so than usual.
Plus, coach Rod Brind’Amour will need to pull Andersen early to give his offensively challenged club a chance. That means at least one empty-net goal for Florida.
This series has been ultra close, with two overtime games and a 1-0 game, which is why I’m advocating only a sprinkle on the spread.
Still, a small spread wager in an elimination game is always worth it due to the odds and extra-desperation factor.
The Florida Panthers look to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final on Monday in Sunrise.
The Panthers scored their second straight overtime win, and forward Matthew Tkachuk notched his second straight overtime game-winner when he scored on the power play at 1:51 of the first session. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 37 saves, including 19 in the first period.
Defenseman Jalen Chatfield scored Carolina’s only goal. The Hurricanes have just three goals through two games after scoring 24 in five games in the second round against the Devils.
Here’s a look at what to expect for Game 3 between Carolina and Florida.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Odds
NHL East final Game 3 lines are current as of Sunday, May 21, at 2 p.m. ET and reference DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Panthers (-120) • Hurricanes (+100)
- Puck Line: Panthers -1.5 (+220) • Hurricanes +1.5 (-260)
- Total Goals: Over 5.5 (-110) • Under 5.5 (-110)
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Prediction
Hurricanes 2, Panthers 1
These teams are incredibly close, and the series could easily be even or 2-0 in favor of the Hurricanes. Florida’s two minor advantages have been Tkachuk’s flare for the dramatic and in goal, where Sergei Bobrovsky has barely outplayed Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta in the first two games.
But I can’t imagine this series will be a sweep, and the Panthers have had a hard time on home ice. Florida is just 2-3 in five games at FLA Live Arena with a minus-4 goal differential.
After losing every road game in the 2022 playoffs, the Hurricanes have figured out the road to some degree this season. They are 3-2 away from PNC Arena, and Andersen, likely to get the nod in Game 3, is 2-0 on the road this season.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Best Bets
Under 5.5 Goals (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units
The first period of Game 2 was about as fast-paced and free-wheeling as this series is going to get, and there were two disallowed goals. Still, the pace calmed, and there were only three goals total.
Maybe Bobrovsky crashes back to earth. Maybe the Hurricanes starting goalie struggles, and Florida blows them out on home ice en route to a sweep. Maybe Carolina’s big players take over.
But I can’t see it happening. The Under in this series is about the surest bet of the postseason, and be sure to mash it as our NHL bet of the day.
Hurricanes ML (+100)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Carolina’s offensive woes are finally catching up with it. The Hurricanes’ second line, Jordan Martinook, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Jesper Fast, which put up huge numbers in the second round against New Jersey, have combined for zero points and a minus-7 rating through two games.
Still, the Hurricanes have fallen a single shot shy of winning each of the first two games. Carolina is competitive in the series, and it may not have enough to rally and win, but I think the Canes will find a way win and get back in the series.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Preview
The Florida Panthers will to take control of the Eastern Conference final in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Florida reigned 3-2 in the marathon Game 1 in Raleigh that was decided on Matthew Tkachuk‘s game-winner at 19:47 of the fourth overtime. It was the longest game in each team’s history, and the sixth-longest game in NHL history.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves, and Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen took the tough-luck loss despite stopping 57 of 60 shots on goal.
Here’s hoping everyone gets rested up for the pivotal Game 2. Here’s a look at the odds for Carolina vs Florida.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Odds
NHL East final Game 2 lines are current as of Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m. ET and reference DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Hurricanes (-145) • Panthers (+125)
- Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+170) • Panthers +1.5 (-200)
- Total Goals: Over 5.5 (-120) • Under 5.5 (+100)
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Prediction
Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT)
If Game 1 is going to be indicative of this series, Carolina is going to have an extremely hard time. These are two of the best 5-on-5 teams in the NHL, yet both of the Hurricanes’ goals came on the power play, and they were outshot 51-40 and out high-danger chanced 26-21 at 5-on-5 in Game 1, according to Natural Stat Trick.
These teams are close, but Florida has a clear advantage offensively. Despite Teuvo Teräväinen‘s return from a broken hand, Carolina is still missing its high-end finishers, Andrei Svechnikov and Max Pacioretty.
Plus, Bobrovsky is playing on another level at this point.
If Florida can stay out of the box, it’ll win. I think the Panthers will do so and take a 2-0 series lead.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Best Bets
Under 5.5 Goals (+100)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units
I’m not sure how anyone who watched any, or all, of Game 1 could think there are going to be goals in this series. Bobrovsky and Andersen are playing on a different planet, and there frankly isn’t a lot of space to make creative plays, despite the skill on each side.
Plus, there are going to be a lot of tired bodies after each team played 139 minutes and 47 seconds less than 48 hours prior.
Mash the Under while it’s Even money as our NHL bet of the day.
Panthers ML (+125)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Hurricanes’ home-ice advantage has been an integral part of their success over the past two postseasons. But Florida, ahem, weathered the storm in Game 1, especially in the third period where it was outshot 14-2.
Bobrovsky stopping everything over the final 95 minutes clearly helps. But the Panthers have cracked the code on the road with seven straight wins away from home.
Take Florida to win another extremely close game, one that may even end in overtime again.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 1 Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final at PNC Arena on Thursday.
Florida and Carolina were Southeast Division rivals for 14 seasons between 1998-2013 but have never played in a postseason series. The Panthers have been one of the league’s best stories by upsetting the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in the first two postseason rounds to reach the conference final for the first time since 1996.
The Hurricanes, who won the Metropolitan Division with 113 points, are in the conference final for the fifth time in their existence but the first time since 2019.
Here’s a look at Game 1 between Florida and Carolina.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 1 Odds
NHL East final Game 1 lines are current as of Monday, May 15, at noon ET and reference DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Hurricanes (-130) • Panthers (+110)
- Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+185) • Panthers +1.5 (-215)
- Total Goals: Over 5.5 (-120) • Under 5.5 (+100)
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 1 Prediction
Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Florida has won six in a row on the road since its playoff-opening 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 1 of the first round. The Panthers play a perfect style for road success in the playoffs with a strong forecheck, solid defense, and most importantly good goaltending.
Carolina is 5-1 at home and has won both Games 1 and 2 in each of its previous two series. The Hurricanes tend to feed on their raucous home crowd, especially by generating their own offensive chances on the forecheck and aggressive play by their defensemen.
But the Panthers are likely to be an opponent Carolina hasn’t yet seen in the playoffs.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 1 Best Bets
Panthers ML (+110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Florida proved it wasn’t intimidated by winning three out of four on the road against arguably the greatest team in NHL history, then winning all three in the hockey mecca of Toronto.
Carolina has been exceptional on home ice the past two playoffs, winning four straight Game 1s at PNC Arena, and has gotten contributions from up and down its lineup. But Florida is currently the more skilled team, and as long as goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is playing up to his capabilities, the Panthers as a plus-money underdog are an exceptional value play.
Under 5.5 Goals (+100)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Under was the play in two of the teams’ three regular-season meetings, though the final game was a 6-4 Carolina win in each team’s last regular-season game.
The Over has been successful seven times despite Carolina allowing just 28 goals through 11 games. The Hurricanes have gotten more-than-expected offensive output from their forward group and did so especially against New Jersey where they scored.
But it’s hard to imagine the Hurricanes continuing to get depth in goal and point production from some of their journeymen players. Plus, Carolina is a great shot- and goal-suppression team with solid goaltending in starter Frederik Andersen.
The Under was successful in Florida’s past four games, including its past three wins. Given the Even-money odds and the fact the play should tighten given this is the conference final, take a tight, low-scoring game.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will renew their old Southeast Division rivalry in the Eastern Conference finals.
Florida, the second wild card from the Eastern Conference, has won two postseason rounds in a single playoff for the first time since the famous Year of the Rat in 1996. The Panthers stunned the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins in seven games before claiming their second straight upset over the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games.
Carolina will have home-ice advantage since it won the Metropolitan Division with 113 points. The Hurricanes are 8-3 in the playoffs with a six-game first-round win over the Islanders followed by a five-game victory against the New Jersey Devils in the second round.
Here’s a look at the Carolina vs Florida series breakdown.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Series Odds
Eastern Conference Finals NHL odds reference DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Monday, May 15.
Odds To Win Eastern Conference Final
- Hurricanes (-130)
- Panthers (+110)
Unsurprisingly, the Panthers are again the underdog, but by only a narrow margin. Carolina finished 21 points ahead of Florida in the regular season, yet is only about has only a 56.5 percent implied probability of reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Series Prediction
Panthers Win in Six Games
Not only is Florida on fire, it is rolling on the road. The Panthers have won their past six road games in the postseason, clinching each of their postseason series away from FLA Live Arena.
The Hurricanes, conversely, have been awesome at home. Carolina is 5-1 at PNC Arena in the postseason, including wins in each of its three games in the second round against New Jersey.
But unlike Carolina’s previous two matchups, Florida plays a comparable style by generating offense via turnovers and with hard work in the offensive zone. The Panthers’ stars, like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, plus defenseman Brandon Montour are tough and tenacious but also skilled - a lethal combination the Hurricanes haven’t yet faced.
Carolina has been opportunistic and gotten contributions from everywhere, including its defense. The Hurricanes led the NHL in goals by defensemen during the regular season (59), and blueliners have scored seven of their 40 goals through 11 games.
But this is the series where the Canes will miss star forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Max Pacioretty, and Teuvo Teräväinen, who combined for 38 goals and 95 points during the regular season.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Series Prop Bets
Panthers Win Series (+110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Florida and Carolina have been two of the best-possession teams in the NHL all season. But the Panthers are relatively intact, and the Hurricanes are without three top-six forwards.
Carolina’s defense has chipped in all season, but Florida has allowed just two goals to two defensemen through 12 games. Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been a big part of that by posting exceptional numbers (.918 save percentage, 2.82 goals-against average, 5.30 goals-saved above average) since taking over for Alex Lyon in Game 4 of the first round against Boston.
As long as Bobrovsky continues to play well, the Panthers should win the series.
Panthers -1.5 Games (+190)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
There is very limited value in betting this series spread unless you want to wager the underdog to win in fewer than seven games. That’s what I’d recommend since this wager will win if Florida wins in four, five, or six games, rather than the extremely long odds of wagering Florida to win in exactly six.
If you think Carolina will win in fewer than seven, there is value there, too, since the Hurricanes’ line of -1.5 is +155. But I believe the Panthers will ultimately win.
