Panthers vs. Hurricanes Picks, Predictions & Odds: Can Cats Swipe 2 Straight?

The Florida Panthers pulled off a quadruple-overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the series opener and the Game 2 rematch is set for Saturday. Sportsbook Review betting analyst Neil Parker has assessed the available NHL odds from out best live betting sites and shares his top pick for the action.

If you managed to power through Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, you deserve full credit. It marked the sixth-longest game in NHL history and extended the impressive winning streak of the underdog Florida Panthers, who have now won eight of their last nine games.

However, the Carolina Hurricanes are favored to win Game 2, and they have also been successful on home ice at PNC Arena, winning five out of seven games this postseason.

Considering that both Florida's starting goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Carolina's No. 1 netminder, Frederik Andersen, made a combined 120 saves in Game 1, the question arises: Will the offenses find a way to break through and convert more of their opportunities in the upcoming game? Or will this series continue to hinge on which goaltender can outlast the other?

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

Panthers vs. Hurricanes pick

Sam Reinhart Under 0.5 points (-104 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

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The Cats have been rolling out Reinhart with center Anton Lundell and winger Eetu Luostarinen consistently since Game 5 against the Boston Bruins in Round 1, and the trio has only scored four goals across 119:10 of ice time.

They spent the bulk of Thursday's Game 1 matched up against Carolina’s No. 1 center Sebastian Aho’s line, and Lundell, Reinhart, and Luostarinen were caved in to the tune of a 35.0 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five and just 0.32 expected goals across 25:27 of ice time.

Stealing a quote from Louie Domingue, it was “Not da best.”

And, it’s going to be another long night for the Lundell-Reinhart-Luostarinen line if the matchup sticks in Game 2. Aho has driven possession and limited opponents with a 55.0 Corsi For percentage and 75.0 goals for percentage at five-on-five during the postseason. 

Additionally, after posting a second-ranked 84.4 penalty-kill percentage during the regular season, Carolina has been even better in the playoffs with a postseason-high 90.9 mark.

So, I won’t be a bundle of nerves with the ‘Canes down a man, either.

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Panthers vs. Hurricanes best odds

FanDuel (-104)

The odds are tight across our three best sports betting apps offering this prop.

Caesars doesn't allow bettors to wager an Under for a player's point total, and PointsBet rarely - if ever - has the best price in this prop market. As a result, it isn't worth waiting for a potentially better number to become available.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes odds

Panthers vs. Hurricanes odds analysis

There is a single edge to be found by shopping through DraftKings for the Hurricanes moneyline. Otherwise, bettors will just want to avoid the highlighted worst odds offered by our best sports betting apps.

This total is near consensus odds across our best NHL betting sites, with FanDuel charging an outlier -124 vig for the Over.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes game info

• Date: Saturday, May 20, 8 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT, Sportsnet
• Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC

Panthers vs. Hurricanes pick made 5/19/2023 at 1:45 p.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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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

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• Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)