The NHL schedule for playoffs starts fast and frantic but always slows down quickly, especially when the Conference finals round approaches.
The Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes will be rested, having a minimum of six days between the end of round two and the start of round three. The Stanley Cup playoffs reanimate Thursday night in Raleigh, when Florida and Carolina meet in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.
We’ll review the stats, trends, and Panthers vs Hurricanes odds to make our NHL predictions from game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Before we make our picks or review the NHL team stats, we must quickly review the Panthers vs Hurricanes odds and betting records.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the one remaining preseason favorite in NHL Stanley Cup odds left skating for Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Canes are the home favorite, listed between -140 and -145, while the Panthers are the underdog, listed between +118 and +125.
Florida had a 19-19-3 road record, while Carolina had a 28-10-3 home record this season. The Hurricanes (-1.5) have a 42-52 ats record, while the Panthers (+1.5) have a 42-52 ats record.
The total goals line is set to 5.5, with the over listed between -120 and -134, while the under is listed between +110 and even odds. Florida has a 48-38-8 over/under record, while Carolina has a 41-48-4 over/under record.
The Panthers are 5-2 in the last seven meetings. The under is 18-6-4 in the previous 28 matchups in Raliegh. Taking a historical viewpoint, the favorite is 53-25 in the last 78 head-to-head meetings.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Information
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Location of the game: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 18. 8:00 PM ET.
How to watch: TNT | CBC | TVAS, Sportsnet
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes hold the head-to-head season series lead 2-1 over the Florida Panthers. The home team won two of the three games. The under was 2-1 this season.
Florida Panthers
Florida has a 4-6 over/under record in their previous ten playoff games. The Panthers are 5-1 in their last six road playoff games.
The Panthers are averaging 3.33 goals per game, while the powerplay is converting at 27.6% in the playoffs. Florida is averaging 3.08 goals against per game, while the penalty kill is operating at 65.8%.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in NHL player stats with 16 playoff points (five goals, 11 assists).
We expect Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%) back in the net for the Cats. Bobrovsky has a 7-2-0 record, a 2.82 GAA, and a .918 SV% in the playoffs.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina has a 7-2-1 over/under record in their last ten playoff games. Notably, in the last ten games, the highest total goals line the Canes faced was 5.5.
The Canes are averaging 3.64 goals per game, while the powerplay is converting at 18.9% in the playoffs. Defensively, Carolina is giving up 2.55 goals per game, while the penalty-killing unit is operating at 90.0%, which is the best in the playoffs overall.
Sebastian Aho (five goals, five assists) and Jordan Martinook (three goals, seven assists).
Barring injuries, we expect Frederik Andersen (21-11-1, 2.48 GAA, .903 SV%) to get the start in game one. Andersen has a 5-0-0 record, a 1.80 GAA, and a .931 SV% in the playoffs.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Picks
After reviewing the Panthers vs Hurricanes odds and betting records, we need to make our NHL picks.
Pick 1: The first pick for game one of the Eastern Conference finals is to take the Carolina Hurricanes to win. While the Panthers are rolling on the road in the playoffs, we’re taking the Canes to win.
Pick 2: Our second pick is to take the over.
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