Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes 5/20/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
East Final – Game 2, FLA leads series 1-0
In a thrilling first game, the Florida Panthers emerged victorious with a late goal in the fourth overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, the two teams meet again for Game Two of the Western Conference Final. The Hurricanes, who hosted Game One, suffered a heartbreaking defeat and will be looking to bounce back in this crucial game. The Panthers, on the other hand, aim to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. If the intensity of Game One is any indication, fans can expect another highly competitive matchup.
The Panthers will be hoping for improved offensive performance in Game Two. While Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, and Anthony Duclair combined for two goals and five assists in the first game, the rest of the offense struggled to find the back of the net. The team will seek contributions from players like Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling, who have been productive in the playoffs but could not record a point in Game One.
Fortunately for the Panthers, their defense stepped up in Game One, allowing only two goals in the four-overtime marathon. Montour and Forsling played crucial roles on the top two defensive lines. At the same time, Aaron Ekblad, Radko Gudas, and Josh Mahura provided depth and disrupted the Hurricanes’ passing lanes throughout the game. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was outstanding, making 63 saves out of the 65 shots he faced.
As the Panthers and Hurricanes prepare for Game Two, both teams understand the significance of this pivotal matchup. The Panthers will be looking to build on their Game One victory and extend their series lead, while the Hurricanes are determined to even the series. With the intense competition in the previous game, fans can anticipate another thrilling contest on the ice.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina.
- The total stayed UNDER in 5 of Florida’s last 5 games with an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- Florida is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Metropolitan Division.
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes 5/20/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
In Game One, the Carolina Hurricanes suffered a loss as their offense struggled to generate goals, managing only two throughout the overtime periods. While Seth Jarvis, Stefan Noesen, and Sebastian Aho combined for two goals and two assists, the rest of the offensive unit faced difficulties. The Hurricanes will be looking for a more robust performance from Jordan Martinook and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who have been productive in the playoffs but were unable to make an impact in Game One.
Despite the offensive challenges, the Hurricanes’ defense played a vital role in keeping the team in the game, allowing only two goals in regulation. The top defensive pairing of Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin showcased their skills. At the same time, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Shayne Gostisbehere provided depth and contributed to turnovers in the defensive zone. Their efforts limited the opponent’s shots on the net. Frederik Andersen was exceptional in Game One, making 57 saves out of the 60 shots he faced.
As the Hurricanes regroup for Game Two, they know the need to improve their offensive output. The team will look to Martinook and Kotkaniemi to contribute and capitalize on their scoring abilities. Defensively, the Hurricanes can take confidence from their solid performance in Game One, as they aim to limit the Panthers’ scoring opportunities once again. Carolina is determined to bounce back and even up the series with the series on the line.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 games at home against Florida.
- Carolina are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Carolina’s last 9 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Division.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes. The NHL Pick for this contest is the Carolina Hurricanes. We like the Hurricanes to win this game at home. The Hurricanes have an impressive 28-12-8 record at home. The home crowd and atmosphere will propel them to victory and on to the Eastern finals. We are taking the Carolina Hurricanes s to win. Our best bet is CAR-146. Finals score prediction the Carolina Hurricanes win. Florida covers the spread, and the total goes over 5-4.
NHL Starting Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
TV: TNT
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Carolina Hurricanes -150
NHL Totals: 5.5
