NHL Odds & Picks: Tuesday (Panthers vs. Hurricanes)
We're onto the conference final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the action opens up tonight in the East with the Carolina Hurricanes (0-0) hosting the reigning champion Florida Panthers (0-0). The Canes dismissed the Capitals in five games last round, while it took the Cats seven games to take down the Maple Leafs. Puck drop for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final gets underway tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
Let's dive into the odds and where I'm laying my money on the ice for Game 1 of the ECF.
Tuesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Florida Panthers (+105) at Carolina Hurricanes (-125) | O/U 5.5 (+105/-125)
These teams met three times in the regular season, and it was Florida who won the season series, going 2-1-0 (FLA: 6-3; FLA: 6-0; CAR: 3-1). However, it's worth noting that they haven't met since the Hurricanes notched a 3-1 victory back on January 2nd, so take the head-to-head data with a grain of salt due to trades, roster turnover, injuries, etc.
With all of that being said, I simply think it's worth playing Florida on the moneyline as underdogs in Game 1. These teams are so evenly matched that it makes sense to just ride with the plus-money option. In terms of xGoals% during 5-on-5 play, the Panthers are third (55.5%), while the Hurricanes are fourth (54.15%). On the penalty kill, Carolina is first (93.33%) out of 16 teams, while Florida is second (89.47%).
The big edge that I like with the Panthers is their scoring depth. This team can pretty much roll four lines and wreak havoc in the opponent's zone all game long. And for as good as the Hurricanes typically are at not giving up a lot of scoring opportunities, they're actually dead last out of the 16 playoff teams in high-danger shots against (32) during 5-on-5 play. Frederik Andersen (1.36 GAA, .937 SV%) has been solid during the postseason, but I also don't think he's been tested by top-tier scoring talent.
On the other end, Sergei Bobrovsky is finding his championship form. In his last four games, the Florida netminder has made 88 saves on 92 attempts, which translates to a .957 SV%. The Panthers are now third in xGAA (2.1) as a team during 5-on-5 play. Both of these clubs are elite, but I like Florida's depth scoring to give them an edge. I'll ride with the champs in Game 1.
Pick: Panthers Moneyline (+105)