Do Not Underestimate The Florida Panthers | Panthers vs Hurricanes | OSB
Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes: NHL Conference Finals Game 1 Analysis, Prediction, and Betting Tips
Sam Batz
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have reached the Conference Finals, and on Thursday, May 18th the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes will kick things off with a highly anticipated Game 1 matchup (8:00 PM EST, TNT). Carolina got here after beating the New York Islanders in 6 games in the First Round, then they eliminated the New Jersey Devils in 5 games during the Second Round. The Panthers shocked the world with their First Round upset over Boston, beating the Bruins in 7 games during the First Round, then Florida went on to upset the Maple Leafs, beating Toronto in 5 games in the Second Round. The Hurricanes and Panthers are now the two best teams in the East, but only one can take home the Conference title. Carolina is favored to reach the Finals, but Florida has proved time and time again that we shouldn’t overlook the underdog.
The Florida Panthers (-1.5; ML -136)
The Panthers pulled off arguably the greatest upset in Stanley Cup history after eliminating the Boston Bruins in the First Round. Boston broke the single-season points record, previously held by the 1976 Montreal Canadiens (132), by recording an incredible 135 points. It was a massive accomplishment, and the Bruins were out-and-out favorites to win the Stanley Cup Trophy. In the First Round, the Bruins had a 3-1 series advantage over Florida, and it was looking rather hopeless for the Panthers, but in a miraculous comeback, Florida won three-straight and knocked the greatest NHL team in history out of the playoffs. Since then, the Panthers have had a meteoric rise, and even though Florida has been the underdog in all 12 of their postseason matchups, they now find themselves just one round away from the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Carolina Hurricanes (+1.5; ML +115)
Carolina had a great season and if it wasn’t for the Boston Bruins historic performance, the Hurricanes would have been the best team in the East. They finished the year with 113 points, 21 points ahead of the Panthers, and were at the top of the Metro division. Out of the 4 remaining teams, the Hurricanes are the favorites to not only reach the Finals, but to win the whole tournament (+200). Carolina faced more trouble than what was anticipated against the New York Islanders in the First Round, but cleaned up against the New Jersey Devils in the Second Round, recording a +11 goal differential (24 GF, 11 GA), in what was supposed to be a highly competitive series. The Hurricanes have a great chance to make their first Finals appearance since 2006, but must not underestimate the Panthers, who have been grossly undervalued this postseason.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Game 1 Odds
Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Florida Panthers | +1.5 (-230) | Ov 5.5 (-125) | +120 |
Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+185) | Un 5.5 (+105) | -140 |
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Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Postseason Stats
Florida Panthers 40 37 +3 3.33 3.08 31.7 35.3 2-3-0 (40.0%) 6-1-0 (85.7%) | Stat Type Total GF Total GA G Diff GF/GP GA/GP Shots/GP Shots Against/GP Home (Win-rate) Away (Win-rate) | Carolina Hurricanes 40 28 +12 3.64 2.55 33.3 27.8 5-1-0 (83.3%) 3-2-0 (60.0%) |
Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Postseason Betting Trends
Florida Panthers
- 9-3 ATS in the postseason
- 6-1 ATS on the ROAD in the postseason
- 5-7 O/U record in the postseason
- 8-4 as UNDERDOGS in the postseason
- 6-1 as UNDERDOGS on the ROAD in the postseason
Carolina Hurricanes
- 5-6 ATS in the postseason
- 2-4 ATS at HOME in the postseason
- 7-4 O/U record in the postseason
- 5-1 as FAVORITES in the postseason
- 5-1 as FAVORITES at HOME in the postseason
Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Game 1 Prediction
Take the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 1 over the Panthers. The Canes can match the Panthers on offense, but the Panthers can’t match the Canes on defense. Carolina has allowed 9 fewer goals than Florida, and in their previous series, the Hurricanes held New Jersey to just 1 goal in 3 out of 5 games. Granted, the Panthers have a better attack than the Devils, but not by much. Florida Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers with 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists), while Carolina Center Sebastain Aho and Left Wing Jordan Martinook lead the Hurricanes with 10 points a piece. Carolina’s depth and experience will carry them to victory in Game 1 over the tenacious Panthers.
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-140)
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