Only four NHL teams are left standing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a wild first two rounds. The Carolina Hurricanes have taken care of business in the Metropolitan Division, while the Florida Panthers upset the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs with a Cinderella run.
Let’s get right into this NHL Eastern Conference Final Betting Preview between the Hurricanes and Panthers!
NHL Eastern Conference Final Betting Preview: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers: Eastern Conference Final Odds & Schedule
Hurricanes -135 | Panthers +115
Thu., May 18: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
Sat., May 20: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
Mon., May 22: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
Wed., May 24: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
*Fri., May 26: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
*Sun., May 28: Hurricanes at Panthers, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
*Tue., May 30: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers: Path to Eastern Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have had the easier path to the Conference Final in the East by dispatching the wild-card New York Islanders in six games in the first round before dropping just one game to the New Jersey Devils in the second round.
Top-line center Sebastian Aho has 10 points (5 G, 5 A) in the Canes’ 11 playoff games, as does Jordan Martinook, who was a weapon in the second round. In total, 11 Hurricanes players have recorded at least six points in the playoffs as Carolina’s balanced attack continues. In that same token, 14 different Hurricanes players have scored a goal, including four defensemen.
Frederik Andersen has posted a .931 SV% in six starts (5-0) with just ten total goals allowed on 144 shots. Antti Raanta did an admirable job filling in, going 3-2 in his five starts with a .906 SV%.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers weren’t giving much of a chance late in the season. They were on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture before going on a 6-1-1 stretch to end the season and get the final wild-card spot.
They were then given little-to-no chance in the first round, especially after falling behind 3-1 in the series to the Boston Bruins. Those Bruins won an NHL-record 65 wins but managed just three in the playoffs against Florida.
The Cats have won seven of their last eight games to come back and take down the Bruins and then rake away the Maple Leafs in five games.
Alex Lyon got the Panthers into the playoffs with his play in the crease, but he has since given way to former Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky is 7-2 in his nine starts, with just 27 goals allowed and a .918 SV%.
It’s been the Matthew Tkachuk show up front with 16 points (5 G, 11 A) in 12 games. Carter Verhaeghe isn’t too far behind with 12 points (5 G, 7 A) to give the Panthers a one-two punch in their top six.
The Panthers have also had 14 goalscorers in the playoffs, with defenseman Brandon Montour tied with Sam Reinhart for the team lead with six.
Eastern Conference Final Picks & Best Bets: Hurricanes vs. Panthers
Hurricanes to win series (-130 via BetPARX)
The Carolina Hurricanes are a team that is built for the playoffs. They control the puck, forecheck and backcheck like hell and don’t give their opponents anything.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has a system in place that the Hurricanes play to a T. Carolina is a frustrating team to play against, no matter if it’s a random game in December or a game with everything on the line in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Canes have been playing “playoff hockey” all year long, and this is where the Panthers’ Cinderella run comes to an end.
