Hurricanes vs Panthers Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Frederik Andersen got a much-needed break in Game 2 after going four overtimes and recording 57 saves in the series opener. With him back on the ice, our NHL betting picks expect yet another defensive slugfest.

The Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers shift their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final series to FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida for Game 3 on Monday night. 

The Hurricanes suffered two excruciatingly painful setbacks on home ice in Games 1 and 2, with the series opener needing four overtimes for a decision, and Saturday’s outing also needing an extra frame. 

The Panthers won the first two games on the road in Round 2 against the Maple Leafs and ended up winning in five games. 

Can the Hurricanes stay alive and make this a series, or will the Panthers get out to a commanding 3-0 series lead? I break it all down in my NHL betting picks for Hurricanes vs. Panthers below.

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 odds

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 predictions

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour elected to give Frederik Andersen a rest in Game 2 after the marathon session in Game 1.

It was a solid move, as Antti Raanta allowed just a single goal in regulation in Game 2. However, the result was the same as Game 1, as Matthew Tkachuk scored an overtime game-winner for the second straight outing.

Andersen is still 5-1 with a 1.65 GAA and .936 SV% in seven postseason starts, his most wins in the playoffs since 2015 when he was a member of the Ducks. He's more than likely getting the starting nod for Game 3.

Andersen has allowed just six total goals in the past three starts, going 2-1 with a 1.35 GAA and .946 SV%.

The Hurricanes have sputtered a bit on offense lately, totaling just six goals in the past three games, all of which include extra frames. Carolina has cashed the Under in each of the past three games, including the first two in this series.

Sergei Bobrovsky has had a big hand in keeping the Carolina offense at bay. He has allowed two or fewer goals in seven consecutive outings, going 6-1 with a 1.27 GAA and .953 SV% during the impressive span. He is single-handedly carrying the Panthers to lofty areas not seen in those parts since 1996.

The Panthers have won five games in overtime on the road this postseason. The Canadiens did that six times in 1993, and the Islanders accomplished the feat five times in 1980.

Both of those teams won the Stanley Cup. So, are the Panthers a team of destiny? Not so fast. The Canes have won seven of the past 10 skates in Sunrise, and the road team has won four of the past five in this series.

Look for Carolina to make a series of it, but with the way these goaltenders are playing, the Under is the best bet for Game 3.

My best bet: Under 5.5 (-106 at FanDuel)

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 same-game parlay

Under 5.5

Sergei Bobrovsky Over 30.5 saves

Frederik Andersen Over 28.5 saves

If we're going with this game going Under the low total of 5.5, I think it's safe to assume both netminders will make their fair share of saves to keep this game from getting out of hand. 

Sergei Bobrovsky has been the definition of a stud since taking over the starting position between the pipes for the Cats, posting save totals of 50, 63, and 37 shots in his last three outings. Carolina will be buzzing from the home crowd and will surely want to get pucks on net to see if it can finally figure out Bob. Overtime or not, the Canes will get shots.

As for Andersen, he's been as good as the Hurricanes could have hoped since returning from injury. The netminder wasn't between the pipes in Game 2s loss, but it's confirmed he'll be called upon today. His saves total is two shots lower than Bobrovsky's due to the output difference these teams usually produce in the SOG category, but his 1.65 GAA and .936% SV% prove if the Panthers can get shots on him, he'll find a way to keep them out of the net.

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Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Hurricanes haven’t been able to find the combination to crack Bobrovsky yet in this series, beating him just three times on 103 shots across 201:36 of ice time. He's been standing on his head.

The lack of offense has been the worst nightmare of Caniacs, who had their concerns that the team didn’t have enough offense. Those worries were quelled in the first two series victories against the Islanders and Devils, but Carolina has run into a brick wall.

The Panthers haven't been lighting the world afire offensively, either, but they’re getting timely goals. Matthew Tkachuk has been the star the team hoped for when they shipped Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weeger to Calgary in the offseason.

I still like the Hurricanes to make a series of it in Game 3, although it will be another nail-biter for both sides.

The Hurricanes saw the total go high at a 7-1-1 clip in nine games from Game 2 of the Islanders series to Game 4 of the Devils series. However, the Under has cashed in each of the past three games, scoring six total goals, while allowing seven. And each of the games has gone to overtime, which is even more impressive.

The Under is 6-0 in the past six games following a win for Florida while going 4-0 in the past four when working on a day of rest. This is going to be another defensive slog, with the total going low yet again. That’s the best bet on the board.

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Hurricanes vs Panthers betting trend to know

The Under is 5-1 in the past six meetings between these two sides while going 7-0 in the past seven games overall for the Panthers. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Panthers.