Carolina Hurricanes vs
Florida PanthersPredictions & Preview

Carolina Hurricanes Face Must-Win Game 3 Against Florida Panthers After Falling Behind 2-0 in Eastern Conference Finals

The Carolina Hurricanes are in a tough spot as they head to South Florida to take on the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals trailing 2-0 in the series after being outscored 10-2 in the first two games. Carolina will be without Jesper Fast and has several other players listed as day-to-day, while Florida's Sam Reinhart is also day-to-day. Carolina will need a win on Saturday to stay alive in the series, as a 3-0 deficit would make it nearly impossible to come back. Florida is the favorite in this matchup, opening at -144 and the current line sitting at Florida -152. Hockey fans should stay tuned for the Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers prediction to make their NHL picks for this crucial game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Hurricanes +131 | Panthers -152
• Spread: Hurricanes +1.5 (-203) | Panthers -1.5 (+170)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Florida will win straight-up is 60%.

Carolina vs Florida Stats

Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina struggled in the first two games of the series, only scoring two goals and being shut out in Game 2. Despite ranking high in shots during the regular season, Carolina was held to just 17 shots in Game 2. They have had difficulty breaking through Florida's defense and have lost 14 consecutive games in the conference finals. Carolina fell behind early in Game 2 and was unable to recover, dropping to 3-4 when not scoring first in the postseason. Leading players for Carolina include Andrei Svechnikov with eight playoff goals and Seth Jarvis with eight assists and 12 points, though Jarvis is currently day-to-day with an injury. Goalie Frederik Andersen has a 7-4 record with a 2.01 goals against average and .907 save percentage. Despite their recent struggles, Carolina has a power ranking of 16, ranking 9th in offense, 6th in defense, and a season record of 55-33-6.

Florida Panthers Analysis

In the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Florida Panthers have outscored the Carolina Hurricanes by eight goals. Florida took an early lead in Game 2 and maintained strong defense throughout the game, resulting in goalie Sergei Bobrovsky posting his third shutout of the postseason. Florida plans to continue their aggressive forechecking and physical play in the neutral zone while keeping the crease clear for Bobrovsky. However, not all went smoothly in Game 2 as Sam Reinhart sustained a lower leg injury and is expected to miss at least Game 3. Sam Bennett leads the team in goals and points during the playoffs, while Eetu Luostarinen leads in assists. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky boasts a 10-4 record with a 2.13 goals against average and .910 save percentage. The Florida Panthers currently hold a power ranking of 3 and rank 12th in offense and 3rd in defense, with an overall record of 57-35-4. Carolina won two out of the last three matchups against Florida.

Florida Panthers Poised to Continue Aggressive Play Against Carolina Hurricanes Despite Potential Absence of Sam Reinhart

Despite the potential absence of Sam Reinhart, the Florida Panthers are poised to maintain their aggressive play against the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida is expected to continue pressuring the Hurricanes on both offense and defense, disrupting their ability to create scoring opportunities. With a strong recent record of six wins in the last seven games, including 13 wins in the last 17 home games, the Panthers are a formidable opponent. Additionally, Florida has secured victories in four of the last five matchups at home against the Hurricanes and overall. The Hurricanes, known for their offensive prowess during the regular season, were limited to 17 shots in Game 2 by Florida's stifling defense. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been instrumental in Florida's success, recording three shutouts in the playoffs, including one in this series.

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