NHL ECF: Panthers vs Hurricanes Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 05-20-25, 10:20 AM

NHL Eastern Conference Final predictions from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Panthers to Win Series (-115 Caesars)

"The Hurricanes have been knocking on the Stanley Cup Final door for a few years. And if it were against anyone else, I'd recommend backing them to finally get over the hump. But we're not discussing anyone else; we're talking about the defending Cup champions, a team with more depth than an Academy Award Best Picture winner.

They have a core of players built for postseason success, including Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, and Carter Verhaeghe. While the Hurricanes are an elite defensive outfit, they don't have the offensive prowess of a Panthers team that can score from any position regardless of which line is on the ice.

And new additions Brad Marchand and Seth Jones have arguably been the team's most influential players, with the former tied for the most points (12) with Eetu Luostarinen."

Panthers vs Hurricanes series best bets:

Panthers win series 4-2 (+420 FanDuel)
Exact number of games: 6 (+195 FanDuel)
Correct score after 3 games: Panthers 2-1 (+130 FanDuel)

**SBR Andy** · 05-20-25, 12:36 PM

Panthers vs Hurricanes Game 1 prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Panthers ML (+110 bet365)

"That old chestnut of rest vs. rust could be decisive for Tuesday's Game 1. Since Thursday, the Hurricanes have watched the events unfold between the Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

That's five days' rest compared to the Panthers' one. I'm going with the assertion that the Panthers will benefit more as they should be flying, still on a high from beating Toronto again in a relatively stress-free yet dominant fashion.

The Hurricanes have the only remaining unbeaten home record (5-0) but haven't faced a team like the Panthers, who play at a torrid pace with heightened aggressiveness. It could take Carolina a period or two to adjust. Plus, the Panthers boast the best away record (5-2).

Sergei Bobrovsky is back to his elite best, allowing four goals in the previous four games, with a .957 save percentage and 1.01 goals-against average. While Frederik Andersen - among the Conn Smythe Trophy odds favorites - is the best goaltender in the playoffs thus far, Bobrovsky takes that mantle over the aforementioned stretch.

The Panthers' netminder won't have time to come out of his zen zone, while five days off may impact Andersen's timing and focus, if only briefly."

**Headsterx** · 05-20-25, 06:39 PM

Hell yeah! Panthers winning this series and making it a sweep! Bringing out the broom not only for the sweep but for the rats!

**mjsuax13** · 05-20-25, 07:06 PM

Panthers in 6

**SBR Andy** · 05-21-25, 07:27 AM

The Panthers pick up right where they left off, winning 5-2 in Game 1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Panthers -240 / Hurricanes +200

**Optional** · 05-26-25, 03:25 PM

Gary Pearson writes; It's been a commanding start to the Eastern Conference Final for the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes. We offer our Hurricanes vs. Panthers prediction and NHL picks for today's Game 4 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (8 p.m. ET, TNT), as the Panthers have the Canes on the ropes with a 3-0 series lead.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes expert picks for Game 4

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✅ Against the spread pick: Panthers -1.5 (+150 via bet365) ⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Panthers 3-way ML (-115 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 5.5 goals (+100 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

Game 4 prediction & best bet

Score prediction: Panthers 4, Hurricanes 2

There's no escaping a fourth straight Eastern Conference Final defeat for the Hurricanes. The question is whether they will suffer a fourth successive sweep at this stage of the playoffs, and the second in a row to the Panthers.

If Carolina loses on Monday, it will be the team's 16th straight Eastern Conference Final defeat since 2009. At this point, I see no alternative.

Betting action and odds analysis

The general public seems on side with the Panthers completing the sweep tonight, as 74% of the wagers have come through on the home side. Despite this, we've not seen a huge move from the oddsmakers on the moneyline: Florida opened as a -175 favorite, and is trading between -175 and -182 just hours ahead of puck drop.

The public is also in sync in leaning toward the Over 5.5, with 70% of the wagers coming in on that side. Similar to the moneyline, we're not seeing a major reaction from sportsbooks who opened at -105 and are all still almost universally trading at -105.