Hurricanes vs. Panthers odds, expert picks, storylines: Panthers look to grab 3-0 lead on home ice

The summer of Southern playoff hockey continues as Game 3 of Hurricanes–Panthers will happen tonight. The ‘Canes desperately need a win to get back into the series, while the Cardiac Cats have once again taken a series stranglehold over a favoured opponent. The Panthers are mirroring their fellow South Florida compatriots in the Miami Heat. They, too, entered the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, only to upset some major teams to reach the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals. An absolute badass also leads them in Jimmy Butler, who paid homage to Matthew Tkachuk by wearing his jersey.

Things are looking good in South Florida nowadays.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NHL coverage is linked below the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and update live. Looking for tickets for tonight’s game? Find deals on StubHub.

Game 3 – Hurricanes at Panthers

Florida leads 2-0 

8 p.m. on TNT, SN, CBC

Carolina hasn’t played terribly in this series. They’ve played well enough to remain in games until the end, whenever these overtime periods want to end. But already, they’ll have a big goaltending question on their hands. Both Freddie Andersen and Antti Raanta have suited up for a game in the series, only to lose in overtime. Does Rod Brind’Amour return to Andersen, who made 57 saves while allowing three goals in Game 1? Does he choose Raanta, who made 24 saves on 26 shots? There isn’t an immediate right or wrong answer here.

Carolina’s offence will also need a jumpstart, with players like Sebastian Aho goalless over their last four. Finally, if the stakes weren’t high enough, the Canes must accomplish something they haven’t done all postseason long: win a Game 3. They’ve lost both Game 3s they had in their first two opening rounds, albeit still holding a series lead at the final whistle. They’ll be down a nearly insurmountable hole if they fail to win Game 3 Monday night.

We’re at the point where we can have a genuine debate for Conn Smythe Trophy candidates among two notable Florida Panthers: Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky. Carter Verhaeghe, Brandon Montour and Aleksander Barkov are dark horses. Tkachuk’s back-to-back OT goals in this series have been legendary. His three overtime goals are tied with Canadiens legend Maurice Richard, Corey Perry and Mel Hill for most in a single postseason campaign. His 18 points only trail Connor McDavid and Roope Hintz’s point totals this postseason. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky’s goaltending has been crucial in keeping the Panthers alive, sporting the third-best goals-against average at 2.32 and the third-best save percentage at .931. There’s every reason to pick the Panthers here, especially when their big guns are starting to heat up after a few quiet games against the Maple Leafs in the last round.