Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions, Game 1 picks & odds: NHL ECF, 5/18

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We had to wait quite a bit for the Western Conference Finals to get set, but Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is now just hours away. The Carolina Hurricanes will have had a week off since eliminating the New Jersey Devils, while the Florida Panthers cruised through the Toronto Maple Leafs in just five games.

With a trip to the Stanley Cup Final just four wins away, our experts have Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions for Thursday’s Game 1 with odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

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When it comes to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s been no shortage of storyline, and that certainly holds true for the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes held the top spot in the Metropolitan Division for the entire second half of the year but came into the postseason with a significant injury to Andrei Svechnikov and experienced another one to Teuvo Teravainen in the first round.

As for the Panthers, they’ve now knocked off two of the Original Six teams in back-to-back rounds. Despite being down 3-1 to the record-setting Boston Bruins, they forced a Game 7 and eliminated them in overtime. They carried that momentum over to a 3-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs and needed just five games to knock them out of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For Game 1, we expect a bit of rust for the starting goaltenders with the extended time off, so backing a high-scoring game could be a way to approach things tonight. As for the best bet from our Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions, we’re focused on an upset.

Doubting the Panthers at this point would not be recommended. Not only were they on the brink of elimination in the first round, but they were facing a Bruins team that set the NHL regular season record for wins (65) and points (135). After a grueling seven-game series, it was expected that they would have a letdown series against the Leafs.

That was far from the case, as they stormed out to a 3-0 lead that now has Toronto’s front office and star players in question for next season. Now they face another storm in the Hurricanes, but they have all the momentum to deal with that.

Carolina is a team that predicates itself on a stout defense while scoring just enough to get the job done. That was demonstrated throughout the year, as they allowed the fewest shots per game. However, the Panthers had the most shots per game, so this will be a true good-on-good matchup.

With Matthew Tkachuk leading the way, they have more than enough firepower to fight through that Carolina defense. He had an MVP-caliber season with 109 points (tied fifth-most in the NHL) and 16 in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs are also the fifth-most, and the second-most of any skater remaining.

As for the ‘Canes, they had just enough offense for a strong regular season, but it’s going to be difficult to keep up with Tkachuk and company without Svechnikov and potentially without Teravainen. Along with Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allowing just two goals to a high-powered Leafs team in all five games last round, the best bet from our Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions is on Florida’s money line with +118 odds at Caesars Sportsbook.

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Of course, we also have the latest lines at Caesars Sportsbook regarding our Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions. Florida’s money line comes with +118 odds, so a $100 bet profits $188 if they pull off the upset. On the flip side, Carolina on the money line has a -140 price, so a $140 wager profits $10 if they come out on top.

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To help make sure you’re locked into the entire series and not just our Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions for Game 1, here’s the full schedule leading up to the Stanley Cup Final:

• Game 1: Thursday, May 18 at 8 PM ET (at Carolina)
• Game 2: Saturday, May 20 at 8 PM ET (at Carolina)
• Game 3: Monday, May 22 at 8 PM ET (at Florida)
• Game 4: Wednesday, May 24 at 8 PM ET (at Florida)
• Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, May 26 at 8 PM ET (at Carolina)
• Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, May 28 at 8 PM ET (at Florida)
• Game 7 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 30 at 8 PM ET (at Carolina)

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