Ryan Hodges
Things were not looking great for the Hurricanes after Game 1. But at least if they could win Game 2, they would be fully back in this series. But after an ugly 5-0 loss in Game 2, it has gone from bad to worse for the Hurricanes being down 0-2 going into the home barn of the back to back Eastern Conference champions. The ‘Canes need a win in a bad way and the Panthers are keen to not let that happen on their home ice. Game 3 should see a huge push from Carolina and hopefully make for a more entertaining game.
If you want to enhance the entertainment aspect for yourself with a wager or 2, here are some picks we like both individually and as legs of a same game parlay at +470 odds. You can also get our NHL picks for this matchup and every game throughout the Conference Finals.
Panthers -1.5 (+180)
Aleksander Barkov anytime goalscorer (+200)
Hurricanes vs Panthers Same Game Parlay odds: +470
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Florida Panthers -1.5 over Carolina Hurricanes (+180)
The prior Eastern Conference Final matchup between these teams resulted in a Florida sweep, but every game was very close. This time around, the Panthers have a good chance to sweep again, but the games are not remotely close. Through 2 games played in Carolina, where the Hurricanes have had a healthy home-ice advantage all year, the Panthers have outscored them 10-2. Now the series goes back to Florida for games 3 and 4 where the Panthers have a great home-ice advantage with the Hurricanes seemingly on life support. Entering Game 3, the Panthers have now won 6 out of their last 7 games by an average of 3.50 goals per win. Only complementing their dominant form, the Panthers have also won 13 out of their last 17 games played at home. Based on how this series has gone, how much the Panthers have bullied their opponents, and now claiming home-ice, this +180 feels like great value even against the puck line.
While Game 1 was at least a competitive effort without results for the Hurricanes, the same cannot be said for Game 2. In what was a fairly high-stakes game, given the worst case would be to go to Florida down 0-2, the Hurricanes completely folded. Midway through the game, Carolina forwards had just 1 shot on goal as part of being held to just 7 shots on goal as a team through 2 periods. Florida scored an efficient 3 goals on their first 5 shots of the game, completely taking the air out of the arena and putting Carolina on their heels from the jump. With that ugly loss, the Hurricanes have now lost 14 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals games through now 4 appearances. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been the epitome of consistency as they reach the verge of their third consecutive Eastern Conference title. We have seen this play out too many times to feel comfortable going out on a limb taking a chance on the Hurricanes. The same is true against the puck line, as well.
Aleksander Barkov anytime goalscorer (+200)
It is a good sign for the Panthers when Aleksander Barkov is fourth on the team in points this postseason despite him having a productive 12 points in 14 games. This team is clicking on all cylinders. But for all intents and purposes, this team goes as Barkov goes. While this is a player who’s value goes far beyond his contributions to the scoresheet, his goal and point production and the role he plays offensively are key to the dynamic of this Panthers team. Barkov has come through lately as games have become higher and higher-leverage, as he has contributed a goal and 3 assists in his last 3 games including Florida’s Game 7 win over Toronto. That makes it now 23 goals and 71 points in 85 career playoff games played for Barkov. This guy is proven to know how to produce in the playoffs and has a great chance to do so again on Saturday.
As mentioned, the Panthers look to just outclass the Hurricanes in every aspect of the game. With a favorable matchup advantage and now being back on home ice, Panthers player props have a ton of appeal. What stands out for Barkov, in addition to his track record for producing, is the role he plays on the Panthers. He is the team’s top-line center and is a stalwart on their top power play. At any time, he is on the ice with some combination of Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones among other stellar Panthers players. Barkov has dominated his matchup over his counterparts on the Hurricanes, and there has been no indication that will change. While there is an unfortunate chance that Reinhart will be out or limited in Game 3, that would mean Barkov’s role would only enhance into a more important piece with more minutes required. Barkov should have plenty of opportunities to produce in Game 3 and getting +200 for him to score against an inferior team is decent value.
