The Florida Panthers may lead the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in the Eastern Conference final, but each of the three games have been decided by a single goal.
If you’re anxious about Carolina rising up and stealing Game 4, maybe consider a prop wager for that game.
Here are some props I like for Game 4 of Carolina vs Florida.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Prop Odds
Find the best player and game props for the Eastern Conference Finals with our NHL odds:
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Player Props
Sebastian Aho Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-130)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Aho has been by far Carolina’s most active offensive player in the series. Despite the fact he hasn’t yet lit the lamp, Aho has two assists in three games and is plus-1, a minor miracle given the fact Carolina has scored just one goal at 5-on-5.
Aho is leading the Hurricanes in shots on goal (13) through three games and had a team-high five in Florida’s 1-0 win in Game 3. He’s surpassed three shots in two of the three games thus far.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Aho scored, since Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky won’t shut out Carolina forever. But he should absolutely be among the Canes’ shot leaders in Game 4, given his stance as their best offensive player and the fact it’s a do-or-die game.
Anthony Duclair Over 0.5 Points (+115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Despite posting just two assists, both in Game 1, Duclair has been one of Florida’s most active players. He plays top line minutes alongside Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov and has 11 shots over three games.
This expects to be a tight game, low-scoring game, just like the previous three, so there is understandable angst about betting an Over points prop. But Duclair has only had one three-game pointless stretch in the postseason, in the first round against Boston, and should be in on the offense for the Panthers in Game 4.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Props
Florida Wins in Regulation (+125)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
I picked the Panthers to win by more than one goal, but there is legitimate angst about a team to cover the puck line when it has won three one-goal games, and two in overtime.
Thus, taking the Panthers to win in 60 minutes is a solid hedge to get plus-money odds without needing them to do something they haven’t done yet in this series.
Hurricanes Under 2.5 Team Goals (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
This, along with the Under, has been the lock of the Eastern Conference final. Carolina has barely scored one goal in each of the past two games, let alone three.
The Canes may end up peppering the Florida cage with shots, and they may even beat Bobrovsky a time or two in Game 4. But will can they beat him three times? They haven’t proven that yet.
The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes played another overtime affair in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.
Despite Florida’s 2-0 series advantage, the series has been extremely close. The series will shift to Sunrise, Florida for Game 3 Monday night.
Given the tightness of the series, it will be difficult to predict a winner for every game. If you’re anxious about trying to do so, consider prop betting, which are wagers that aren’t necessarily tied to the final outcome.
Here are some props I like for Game 3 of the conference-final series.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Prop Odds
Find the best player and game props for the Eastern Conference Finals with our NHL odds:
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Player Props
Sebastian Aho Anytime Goal (+150)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
DraftKings boosted Aho to produce a point to Even money before Game 2, and he cashed with a primary assist on Jalen Chatfield‘s first-period goal. Aho is the Hurricanes’ offensive leader, tied for the team lead in goals (5) in the postseason, and is third on Carolina in individual Expected Goals in the series (1.18), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Aho is nursing a four-game goalless drought but has two points in this series. Look for him to light the lamp in Game 3 as our NHL bet of the day.
Marc Staal Over 1.5 Shots Blocked (-115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
This is the Staal Bros. series, with Marc joining brother and teammate Eric Staal against Carolina captain and brother Jordan Staal. As usual, Marc has largely been anonymous unless you’re paying close attention or betting on shot-block props.
Marc has topped two blocked shots in each of Florida’s past three games, including six in Florida’s four-overtime win in Game 1. The Hurricanes will likely be desperate and put forth a barrage of shots toward Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Look for Staal to get in front of at least two.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Props
First Goal: Carolina (-105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Hurricanes have scored first in each of the initial two games, and if they are going to get back into the series they’ll likely need to do so again in Game 3. Carolina is 3-3 when conceding the first goal in the postseason, compared to 5-2 when scoring first, a function of its ability to smother teams with its dominant defense.
If the Panthers score first in Game 3, the game game could get away from Carolina quickly. If that happened, the series would basically be over.
So if you think the Hurricanes are poised to get off the mat and win Game 3, as I do, take them to net the game’s first goal.
Race to 4 Goals (Excluding Overtime): Neither (+115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
There has only been eight goals scored through almost 10 periods in this series and just six scored in six periods of regulation.
Carolina has a goalie controversy, though coach Rod Brind’Amour is almost certain to go back to Frederik Andersen for Game 3, while Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is on a serious burner.
The first to two will probably win, but it’s safe to believe neither team will get to four in a single game in this series. Plus, given the plus-money odds, this seems like one worth mashing.
The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes played an epic in Game 1.
Florida claimed a 3-2 victory in quadruple overtime thanks to Matthew Tkachuk‘s game-winner with just 13 seconds left in the fourth extra session.
The teams proved they are close, which will make the games difficult to predict. But there’s great value to be had placing prop wagers, especially since I was 3-for-4 on prop predictions in Game 1.
Here are some props I like for Game 2.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Prop Odds
Find the best player and game props for the Eastern Conference Finals with our NHL odds:
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Player Props
Aleksander Barkov Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-120)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Barkov was awesome in Game 1, leading all Florida forwards in ice time (44:20) and shifts (59), while adding two points. Barkov also surpassed three shots on net for the third straight game.
The Game 1 style was conducing to the style Barkov and linemates Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair want to play, where they use their speed to enter the offensive zone and then produce scoring chances with cycling. Verhaeghe, Duclair, and Barkov each had two points in Game 1, and Verhaeghe and Barkov scored each of Florida’s regulation goals.
The Hurricanes will need to make an adjustment to limit that line’s production in Game 2. But whether they do or not, take Barkov to pepper the Carolina cage as our NHL bet of the day.
Seth Jarvis Over 0.5 Points (-135)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The teams were well-rested in Game 1, but there still wasn’t much room for each to operate. You can bet Game 2 will be a slog, too.
Still, Jarvis is tied second on Carolina in playoff points (10) and had two points, including Carolina’s ice-breaking, power-play goal in Game 1. At 21 years, 3 months, he is the youngest player on either roster and that youthful speed and energy should be a weapon the Hurricanes deploy against older players who will take longer to recover after the marathon first game.
Look for Jarvis to get on the scoresheet again in Game 2.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2 Props
Under 5 Goals Excluding Overtime (+145)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
These are two of the best defensive teams, so isn’t a lot of room to make plays. Plus, even if there was, both goaltenders have been exquisite.
I would trust this prop at 4.5 goals, but taking it to five will give us a push if Game 2 ends 3-2 in regulation.
Hurricanes Under 2.5 Team Goals (+150)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Panthers have allowed exactly two goals in six straight games, including their 3-2 victory in Game 1. Carolina has twice only scored two goals in victories in the playoffs.
As stated above, I don’t think there’ll be much playmaking, and goals will be at a premium. The first to two goals will probably win. The only concern is if Carolina hits an empty net.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 1 Props
The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will square off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final Thursday in Raleigh.
The series should be extremely competitive, but predicting which way a series will go can be tricky before seeing the teams play. If you still want to get in on the action, consider a prop bet, which is a wager that is not tied to the final outcome.
Here’s a look at a few prop wagers I like for Game 1.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Player Props
Brett Pesce: Over 1.5 Blocked Shots (-120)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Panthers have been one of the best possession teams in the NHL all season but are having an average of 18 shots blocked per game in the postseason.
Pesce, meanwhile, is one of Carolina’s best stay-at-home blueliners and has at least one shot block in all but one game this postseason. He has posted at least two blocks in six of the Hurricanes’ 11 playoff games, too.
Look for Pesce to make that seven of 12 for Thursday’s NHL bet of the day.
Jordan Martinook: Under 0.5 Points (-135)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The line of Martinook, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Jesper Fast chipped in crucial offense in Carolina’s five-game win over the New Jersey Devils.
Martinook had a playoff’s worth of goals and points against the Devils, but that success rarely follows a role player from series to series.
I targeted Martinook’s points prop against New Jersey when it was the most lucrative, and the Under in this prop category is the most lucrative of any player on his line. The Panthers will probably be dedicating defensive resources to Carolina’s No. 2 line, and I’m expecting all three players will get shut out in Game 1.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game Props
First Goal: Florida (+105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Panthers are 6-0 when scoring first in the postseason, and the Hurricanes are 5-0 when they have the first goal. Both teams have come-from-behind wins in the playoffs, too, but Carolina especially is great at taking the lead, then suffocating its opposition.
I picked Florida to win Game 1 and the series. I think if the Panthers are going to win, they’re going to need to score the first goal.
Hurricanes: Under 2.5 Team Goals (+150)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Carolina is averaging 3.6 goals per game in the playoffs, a mark propped up by its 24-goal outburst in five games against New Jersey.
But the Hurricanes’ offense is still a huge question mark. Plus, the Panthers have proven adaptable to playoff hockey — as a consequence of making the postseason four straight seasons — and have sturdier goaltending than the Devils.
Florida allowed exactly two goals in each of its five games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carolina has twice won games by a score of 2-1 and has been held to two goals or less in four of its 11 playoff games.
This is an especially good play given the plus-money odds.
