Panthers vs. Hurricanes Picks, Predictions & Odds: Backing Burns in Game 1

The Eastern Conference Final between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes begins Thursday, and Sportsbook Review betting analyst Neil Parker has checked in on the markets and offers his top pick based on the latest NHL odds from our best live betting sites.

Carolina stormed through the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and won five of six home games at PNC Arena. 

My spidey-senses are telling me Florida just isn’t all that intimidated.

After all, the Panthers have roared off consecutive upsets and are entering their third straight series against the favorite to win it all by the Stanley Cup odds.

Here is our best Panthers vs. Hurricanes pick for Thursday (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Panthers vs. Hurricanes pick

Brent Burns Over 3.5 shots (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

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Burns paces the ‘Canes in shots, attempts and ice time, and I view this as the most favorable postseason matchup for his shot volume yet. 

Florida has allowed the second-most shots (33.69) and attempts (63.17) per 60 minutes during the postseason, and Carolina ranks first in shots and attempts per 60 among remaining teams.

Additionally, Burns has been more aggressive on home ice with 11.39 shots and 24.47 attempts per 60 compared to respective 6.95 and 18.36 marks on the road.

FanDuel was offering a -102 price for Burns to go Over 3.5 shots when this recommendation was originally made. I would be comfortable playing it to -115 odds, but I'd also drop my confidence rating to two stars at that number.

I'm also backing Burns in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds in my Hurricanes vs. Panthers Eastern Conference Final series preview.

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Panthers vs. Hurricanes best odds

FanDuel (-110)

The odds are tight across three of our four best sports betting apps. You’ll just want to avoid the -115 price through PointsBet. The difference in -102 and -115 was a positive expected value of 6% and an extra $2.22 of profit on a winning $20 ticket.

Now, our edge is much smaller (2%, $0.79).

I also value that Pinnacle has moved the Over 3.5 shots for Burns from -103 to -127, which reinforces the -110 price is still a solid bet.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes odds

Panthers vs. Hurricanes odds analysis

There are a few edges to be found by shopping through BetMGM for the Hurricanes moneyline and the Panthers puck line. Bettors will also want to avoid the highlighted worst odds offered by our best sports betting apps.

BetMGM is offering an outlier total of six, which could be more favorable for Over bettors at +100. Otherwise, Caesars is hanging +110 on the Under, and DraftKings and PointsBet have the shortest vig on the Over 5.5.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes game info

• Date: Thursday, May 18, 8 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT, Sportsnet
• Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC

Panthers vs. Hurricanes pick updated 5/18/2023 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

• FanDuel: $1,000 No Sweat First Bet | Read our FanDuel Review
• Caesars: Earn Up to a $1,250 Bet Credit | Read our Caesars Review
• DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | Read our DraftKings Review
• PointsBet: Earn Five Second-Chance Bets Up to $50 Each | Read our PointsBet Review
• BetMGM: Get a Bonus Bet of Up to $1,000 | Read our BetMGM Review

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