In this article we will formulate a Hurricanes vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, May 20th at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes were able to defeat the Washington Capitals in the last round in five games by scores of 2-1, 1-3, 4-0, 5-2, and 3-1. In their game five win, Carolina was tied at one late in the game, but they scored two goals in the final two minutes to pull away with the win. The Hurricanes outshot Washington by a total of 22-19, won 64.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Jarvis, Staal, and Svechnikov, while Aho and Staal led the way with seven hits each. Frederik Andersen stopped 18 out of 19 shots in the win, which was a .947 save percentage.
Prior to that series, the Hurricanes defeated the Devils in the first round in five games by scores of 4-1, 3-1, 2-3, 5-2, and 5-4. Carolina led 2-0 after two games in that series, but they dropped game three on the road, before winning games four and five to advance. Carolina has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 2.81 goals against per game, while also going 18.7% on the power play and 83.6% on the penalty kill this season. Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho have led Carolina in the playoffs with 10 points each, while Andrei Svechnikov has added nine points. Frederik Andersen is 7-2 with a 1.36 goals against average and a .937 save percentage for the Hurricanes in the postseason.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers were able to survive game seven to defeat Toronto in the last round by scores of 4-5, 3-4, 5-4, 2-0, 6-1, 0-2, and 6-1. In their game seven win, Florida scored three goals in the second period to lead 3-0 and they added three more goals in the third after Toronto cut the lead to 3-1. The Panthers outshot Toronto by a total of 34-20, won 49.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Gadjovich, Lundell, Luostarinen, Marchand, Reinhart, and Jones, while Greer and Bennett led the way with seven hits a piece. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 out of 20 shots in the game, which was a .950 save percentage.
Prior to that series, the Panthers defeated the Lightning in the first round in five games by scores of 6-2, 2-0, 1-5, 4-2, and 6-3. Florida has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.72 goals against per game, while also going 23.5% on the power play and 80.7% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen have led Florida with 12 points each in the playoffs, while Sam Reinhart has added 11 points. Sergei Bobrovsky is 8-4 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .901 save percentage in the playoffs.
Why the Hurricanes will beat the Panthers
- The Hurricanes have won 19 of their last 20 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Panthers have lost five of their last six road games following a road win.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 12 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hurricanes have won the third period in each of their last 11 games as favorites when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six night games between the Panthers and Hurricanes at Lenovo Center have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Panthers’ last eight road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Panthers’ last six games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 11 of the Hurricanes’ last 12 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Andrei Svechnikov has scored a goal in four of the Hurricanes’ last five home playoff games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Seth Jarvis has recorded at least one point in each of the Hurricanes’ last 13 night games at Lenovo Center.
- Dmitry Orlov has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven playoff appearances against the Panthers.
- Jackson Blake ranks 2nd amongst rookies for Plus/Minus (+10) this season.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Tkachuk has scored the last goal in three of the Panthers’ last four playoff games against the Hurricanes.
- Matthew Tkachuk has scored at least one goal in four of the Panthers’ last five playoff games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Brad Marchand has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances in Game 1s of a playoff series.
- Brad Marchand has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine road playoff appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Aleksander Barkov ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.61%).
- The Carolina Hurricanes are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Florida Panthers rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.72).
- The Florida Panthers rank 1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (843).
Hurricanes vs Panthers Prediction
Carolina was able to defeat Washington in five games in the second round of the playoffs, while Florida had to go to seven games against Toronto, so the Hurricanes will have the rest advantage and home ice. Carolina has been outstanding on home ice all season, while Florida was right around .500 on the road in the regular season. I do think Carolina will get the win in this game, as that extra rest will help their defense suffocate the Florida attack. This is going to be a big change for Florida, who is used to playing against a Toronto team that wasn’t great on defense, but now has to go against the Carolina pressure. Take the Hurricanes to win at home.