Panthers vs. Hurricanes 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds and Game 1 Preview – May 19th

By Jeff Stinger • May 15, 2023

The 2023 NHL Eastern Conference Finals will feature a first playoff meeting between two teams that many had not expected to make it this far. Both the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes advanced to this stage having won their respective second-round series in five games to set up a Game 1 clash that’s bound to be a banger.

Nitrobetting is here to turn your betting slapshots into winning goals with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals showdown between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes.

2023 NHL Playoffs: Panthers vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Information

When: Thursday, May 18, 2023, 8:00 PM ET
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
TV: TNT
Radio: SiriusXM NHL Network Radio
Live Stream: NHL Network
NHL Betting Odds: Panthers (+114) / Hurricanes (-139)

Why Bet on the Florida Panthers?

For the first time since 1996, the Florida Panthers are back in the Conference Finals after they pulled off another massive upset with a five-game clinic over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. Florida continues its magical campaign after having just eliminated a historically-great Boston Bruins team in the first round and stifling what should’ve been a potent Toronto offense.

Former two-time Vezina-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was fantastic in the Panthers’ series against the Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky didn’t allow more than two goals in each of his five starts against the Leafs while boasting a .934 save percentage. The Russian standout was shaky to start this postseason against a similarly potent Bruins offense and will have to weather the Hurricanes’ storm up next.

The Panthers are only tied for seventh with an average of 3.33 goals per game this postseason but they’re being carried well by a career-defining performance from star left wing Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk is currently ranked fifth in the playoffs with 16 points and is third overall with a positive plus-minus of 10.

Why Bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?

An offensive explosion gives the Carolina Hurricanes a lot of optimism for a return trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Carolina made relatively quick work of the New Jersey Devils in five games, recently winning a 3-2 overtime thriller in Game 5. Prior to that close victory, though, the Canes outscored the Devils 17-3 in their three other wins of the series.

Carolina ranks fourth this postseason with an average of 3.64 goals per game. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin is doing just about everything for his team, as he’s tops in the playoffs with a plus-minus of plus-14. Meanwhile, the likes of Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, and Ondrej Palat have turned on the scoring jets to complement their defense.

Speaking of defense, two-time All-Star goalie Frederik Andersen has been an insurmountable wall since making his first start of this year’s playoffs in Game 6 against the New York Islanders. Out of Andersen’s six starts, he’s only allowed more than three goals on one occasion (Game 3 against New Jersey) and he’s currently ranked first this postseason with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes Betting Trends

The Panthers have won six straight on the road and 10 of their last 11 away games.
The Panthers are 5-2 in their last seven meetings against Carolina.
The totals have gone under in all five of Florida’s most recent outings.
The Hurricanes are 8-1 in their last nine home games.
The Canes are 6-1 in their last seven games as favorites to win.
The totals have gone under in seven of Carolina’s last nine home games.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Expert Betting Prediction

The Hurricanes have won the first two games of their series against the Islanders and the Devils and we expect them to get off to a hot start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Islanders did lose by just a single goal to Carolina in each of those two opening first-round matchups, so we also foresee the Panthers giving up a better fight than the Devils in the ECF series opener.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting News. Stay tuned for more hockey previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.