Ryan Hodges
The Panthers’ statement in Game 1 was equal parts surprising and unsurprising. The surprising aspect was Carolina losing badly at home with extra days’ rest. The unsurprising aspect was the Panthers did what they have repeatedly done for 3 years now, despite being on the road and less than 48 hours removed from their prior series clinch. With Game 2 representing the opportunity for Florida to go back home up 2-0, as well as the opportunity for Carolina to avoid going on the road down 0-2, these teams should bring the intensity in this one. With this Game 2 having so much on the line, let’s up the stakes a little more with our Panthers vs Hurricanes Same Game Parlay picks at +625 odds. You can also get our NHL picks for this matchup and every game throughout the Conference Finals.
Panthers ML (+110)
Under 5.5 (-115)
Brad Marchand over 0.5 points (+110)
Panthers vs Hurricanes Same Game Parlay odds: +625
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Florida Panthers ML over Carolina Hurricanes (+110)
There is enough of a precedent for both teams to not feel very comfortable fading the Panthers, despite them being underdogs against the line. At this point, the Hurricanes have now lost 13 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals games as their prior 3 appearances have resulted in being swept. Whereas the Panthers have won 9 of their last 10 playoff series entering this one. There was a very rational thought in the hockey world that 5 days’ rest and home-ice advantage would propel the Hurricanes to a Game 1 win over a team on 1 day of rest and a long road trip. After that did not prove true, it was further evidence that this Panthers team is just too difficult to fade.
It seems counterintuitive, but the Hurricanes did not play badly on Tuesday. The final score may not have been fully representative of how both the Panthers and Hurricanes played. But that could be looked at in 2 ways. First, the Hurricanes played well and got some bad bounces. If they keep playing like that, they can get some wins. Or, it could otherwise be viewed as the Hurricanes played well, the Panthers didn’t have their A+ game, and Florida still won 5-2. Florida swept Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals 2 postseasons ago, but all 4 games were decided by 1 goal and the series included 5 total overtimes. This time around, starting with a 3-goal win in Game 1, the Panthers are already smelling blood. Until or unless either team proves otherwise, the Panthers are the more reliable play.
Read our full Panthers vs Hurricanes prediction for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals
Under 5.5 (-115)
Next on our Panthers vs Hurricanes Same Game Parlay, we’re targeting the Under. Despite allowing 5 goals in Game 1, the Hurricanes are still averaging just 2.09 goals allowed per game in this postseason. That strong goal prevention leads the 16 playoff-eligible teams that entered this postseason. Before Tuesday, Carolina had allowed more than 3 goals just once in these playoffs which was in a game they won. They are one of the best teams in the league at making game-over-game adjustments. After they allowed 4 goals to New Jersey in Game 5 of the first round, Carolina allowed just 7 total goals in their round 2 series win over Washington, who scored the 2nd-most goals in the NHL during the regular season.
Carolina’s strong goal prevention is the primary reason the under has hit in 4 of their last 6 games. It is also a primary reason that their average game total this postseason is 5.36 goals. The Hurricanes will make a concerted effort to make the necessary adjustments on the defensive side of the puck to keep this a closer game and give themselves a chance. If they execute, the Under has a great look. The Under has even more appeal considering the Panthers ranked 7th in the NHL in goals allowed per game during the regular season, and their 2.38 goals allowed per game ranks 2nd in the postseason. The Under has hit in 10 of the last 15 games played head-to-head between these two, and a fantastic goaltender matchup should only reinforce their respective goal-prevention strength to bring a low total.
Brad Marchand over 0.5 points (+110)
The Panthers’ front office once again made perfect additions to their roster to help get their team to the next level. Specifically, the trade deadline acquisitions of Seth Jones and Brad Marchand have been very effective in the playoffs. Marchand’s 12 points in 13 Panthers games played this playoffs rank 2nd on his team. He is also +11 in this postseason and most importantly, has been a perfect fit for this Panthers team. There have been plenty of examples of the right player on the wrong team. Most glaringly this season was Mikko Rantanen’s lack of a fit in 13 games played with Carolina. Marchand, by contrast, has been the perfect fit on the right team and that fit has proven mutually beneficial.
Marchand has been a top 3-6 forward his entire impressive career. But coming to the Panthers, he has been more of a role player and has played that role perfectly. Marchand finds himself on Florida’s 3rd line and second power play, and his physical play has logged him 46 penalty minutes which is the most on the team. The penalty minutes are not a huge positive. But given the majority of those minutes are coincidental minors and majors which were offset by the other team, it reinforces the impact Marchand is having on every series.
Marchand’s 2nd-most points on the team trail only his linemate, Eetu Luostarinen, while his other linemate, Anton Lundell, has a productive 10 points in 13 games. Marchand and his line have been a catalyst for this Panthers team that continues to execute. This plus money prop for him to continue to produce is nice value for our Panthers vs Hurricanes Same Game Parlay.
