Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes 5/18/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
East Final – Game 1
The Carolina Hurricanes will continue their home stretch in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday night as they gear up to take on the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Carolina heads into this game confidently, having secured victories in four of their last five matchups, including consecutive wins that culminated in a thrilling 3-2 overtime triumph over the New Jersey Devils to close out the previous series. Frederik Andersen stood out as a formidable force in the Hurricanes’ defensive unit, boasting an impressive .931 save percentage by allowing just two goals on 29 shots across more than 67 minutes of play. Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns played pivotal roles on the offensive endl.
On the offensive front, the Hurricanes performed well throughout the season, averaging 3.2 goals per game on nearly 35 shots. However, their defensive prowess genuinely shone, as they limited their opponents to a mere 2.55 goals on average, facing approximately 26 shots per game. Martin Necas emerged as the leading scorer for the Carolina offense, amassing an impressive 71 points and dishing out 43 assists throughout the season. Sebastian Aho showcased his scoring prowess, leading the team with 36 goals on 218 shots. The
- The Florida Panthers are 6-0 SU in their last six games on the road.
- The Panthers are 4-9 SU in their previous 13 games on the road against Carolina.
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Florida’s last six games with an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes 5/18/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
On the other side, the Florida Panthers enter Game 1 with confidence, riding the momentum of an impressive stretch where they have emerged victorious in seven of their last eight games. Their most recent triumph came in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5, securing their advancement. Sergei Bobrovsky continued to showcase his exceptional skills in the net for Florida, conceding only two goals on a staggering 52 shots across more than 75.5 minutes of play. Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe played crucial roles in propelling the Florida offense, registering one goal and one assist. At the same time, Nick Cousins gave the game-winning heroics an overtime goal.
Florida displayed impressive offensive prowess throughout the season, averaging 3.51 goals on 36.8 shots per game. However, their defensive performance was relatively average, allowing an average of 3.3 goals per game. Matthew Tkachuk emerged as the offensive leader for the Panthers, accumulating a remarkable 109 points, including a team-leading 69 assists. Carter Verhaeghe also made a notable impact, leading the team with 42 goals on a total of 275 shots.
- Carolina is 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Florida.
- The total went OVER in 7 of Carolina’s last ten games with an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- The total stayed UNDER in 6 of Carolina’s last eight games with a team in the Atlantic Division.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes. The NHL Pick for this contest is the Carolina Hurricanes. The Carolina Hurricanes have been a formidable force throughout the season, consistently showcasing their strength and skill. As they prepare for Game 1 on Thursday, the Hurricanes will undoubtedly bring their best to the ice, entirely focused on the task. Anticipate Carolina to establish dominance early on and maintain control throughout the game, executing their game plan precisely. With their unwavering determination and impressive abilities, the Hurricanes are well-positioned to secure a victory in Game 1. Final Score Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes triumph with a convincing 4-1 win.
NHL Starting Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
TV: TNT
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Carolina Hurricanes -140
NHL Totals: 5.5
