The Florida Panthers are just one series win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year, having recently eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a challenging seven-game series. To keep their championship aspirations alive, Florida must now face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes come into this matchup significantly more rested than the Panthers.
In their decisive Game 7 victory against Toronto on Sunday night, the Panthers showcased their impressive playoff capabilities with a dominant 6-1 performance. This game perfectly illustrated the potential of the Florida squad when they are performing at their peak across all aspects of their game.
Their offense featured a balanced attack led by key players like Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Defenseman Brandon Montour provided significant impact on the blue line, and Sergei Bobrovsky made crucial early saves in goal. When playing at this level, the Panthers are exceptionally difficult to defeat.
However, this might not deter the Carolina Hurricanes, who have advanced through the first two rounds of the playoffs with relative ease, compiling an 8-2 record. Characteristic of Rod Brind`Amour`s coached teams, Carolina has maintained a formidable defensive presence, allowing a mere 18 goals over 10 games.
What has set the Hurricanes apart this postseason is the strong offensive production from their top-tier players. Andrei Svechnikov has already netted eight goals, while both Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis are averaging a point per game. Carolina`s challenge in this Eastern Final will be ensuring their offense doesn`t falter against the Panthers` much tougher defensive structure.
The last time these two teams met in the Eastern Conference Final was in 2023, a series that saw the Panthers sweep the Hurricanes. Carolina is expected to provide a much more competitive series this time around.
Eastern Conference Final Schedule
All times Eastern
- Game 1: Tuesday, May 20 | 8 p.m. | at CAR
- Game 2: Thursday, May 22 | 8 p.m. | at CAR
- Game 3: Saturday, May 24 | 8 p.m. | at FLA
- Game 4: Monday, May 26 | 8 p.m. | at FLA
- *Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | 8 p.m. | at CAR
- *Game 6: Friday, May 30 | 8 p.m. | at FLA
- *Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | 8 p.m. | at CAR
Hurricanes vs. Panthers Odds
Odds via DraftKings
- Series odds: Panthers -125, Hurricanes +105
- Game 1 odds: Hurricanes -125, Panthers +105
Game 1 Score Prediction
Given the Panthers are coming off an extended and physically demanding series against the Maple Leafs, the Hurricanes should hold an advantage playing at home in Game 1. Their fresher legs are likely to give Carolina`s deep forward group an extra burst, enabling them to wear down the Panthers in the offensive zone. After establishing a lead, the Hurricanes are expected to rely on their stout defense to secure a 1-0 series lead. Prediction — Hurricanes 3, Panthers 1
Hurricanes vs. Panthers: Game 1 Best Bet
This series is anticipated to be closely contested with shifts in momentum, and Game 1 could realistically swing either way. Therefore, it`s prudent to focus on known strengths of each roster. Carolina forward Andrei Svechnikov has shown no hesitation in shooting the puck throughout this postseason, a trend likely to continue, particularly on the power play. According to experts at SportsLine, one of the top betting opportunities for the night is placing a wager on Svechnikov`s shot total going over the set line. The Pick: Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 shots on goal
