Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes Game 1 Betting Preview
18 May 2023
There are now just four teams remaining in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Eastern Conference Finals will begin on Thursday night. It will be the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers in what should be a terrific series.
Florida comes into this series with a ton of momentum, as they have been playing the role of spoiler throughout the postseason. The Panthers stunned the Boston Bruins in the first round and then eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.
Carolina was supposed to get to the Eastern Conference Finals, and they were a top pick to win the Stanley Cup by many. The Hurricanes got past the New York Islanders in the first round and then dispatched the New Jersey Devils in the Second Round.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the moneyline betting favorites at -142 over the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of this series.
Panthers Love to Play Fast
The Florida Panthers love to play at a fast pace on both ends of the ice, and that style of play has worked so far in the playoffs. Florida scored over 3.5 goals per game during the regular season, but they also gave up over 3.3 goals against.
Matthew Tkachuk is having a huge postseason for Florida, as he is leading the team with 16 total points. The Panthers are facing a dominant defensive team in this series, but Tkachuk is good enough to give the Hurricanes trouble.
Sergei Bobrovsky had a rough regular season, but he has gone 7-2 in the playoffs while allowing just 2.82 goals against. The Panthers will need to be solid on both ends of the ice to win games in this series.
Carolina Finding Some Offense
The Carolina Hurricanes were winning games with defense during the regular season, but they have been finding offense in the playoffs. Carolina scored 24 total goals in their five-game series in the last round, and that offense has a ton of momentum.
Sebastian Aho leads the way with five goals and ten total points, but this team has been able to get scoring from up-and-down the lineup. Carolina does have a terrific power play, and that unit will have an impact in this series.
The Hurricanes have used a few different goaltenders so far in the playoffs, and they are allowing just 2.55 goals against per game. Carolina will be dealing with a great offense, but they have shut down good teams before.
Hurricanes Hold on For Win
The Panthers have an offense that is capable of keeping them in games against any team, but their lack of defense will come back to bite them in this one. Florida is facing a Carolina team that makes opponents pay for mistakes, especially on their home ice.
Carolina has taken care of business throughout the postseason, and they know how well the Panthers have been playing. Look for the Hurricanes to come out with a great sense of urgency in front of their home crowd to get an early lead.
Bet the Carolina Hurricanes -142 as they are able to take care of business in the series opener to take a 1-0 series lead against the Florida Panthers.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
