Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers odds, picks and predictions

The Carolina Hurricanes (51-21-9) visit the Florida Panthers (42-31-8) on Thursday. Puck drop from FLA Live Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Hurricanes vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Hurricanes had an adventure on the final charter flight of the regular season, as their Boeing 737 was diverted to Miami International Airport due to torrential rains and an airport closure at Fort Lauderdale International Airport Wednesday night.

Carolina is playing for a Metropolitan Division title. It enters with 111 points, to 110 for the second-place New Jersey Devils. If the teams end up tied, regulation wins are the tiebreaker, and the Devils enter play Wednesday with 39 regulation wins to just 38 for the Canes. New Jersey closes its season on the road at the Washington Capitals Thursday.

The Panthers are playing to finish in the top Eastern Conference Wild Card, attempting to dodge the No. 1-seed Boston Bruins. Florida has won 6 of the past 7 games overall while going 5-2 in the past 7 against Metropolitan Division teams. Florida trails the New York Islanders by 1 point; the Isles have finished regular-season play.

Florida has won 5 of the past 6 meetings with Carolina, and the home team is 7-3 in the previous 10 meetings in the series.