Today’s NHL Predictions features a long-awaited Eastern Conference Finals rematch between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers. The Hurricanes will touchdown in Sunrise for the first time since last playoffs’ humiliating sweep in the ECF. Although the journey ended sour for the Panthers this rematch brings back many sweet memories.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi was HEATED after the Canes Game 3 loss ?
Carolina forwards have yet to score a 5v5 goal in the Eastern Conference Final pic.twitter.com/asr8eXm0Yg
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 23, 2023
The Cats are coming off two consecutive overtime wins and have built some cornerstones based on great defensive play from newcomers. This is not the same Panthers lineup that swept the Canes last season, but the spirit is still there. Facing off against the franchise from Raleigh, NC could be the spark that lights a fire in the currently inconsistent Panthers.
Carolina (8-5-0) arrives at South Florida carrying a two-game win streak and a 5-1 record in their last 6 games. Although they were not off to the best start, they finally began clicking in the right areas. One must never underestimate Rod Brind’Amour’s team. Neither can the Florida Panthers led by Paul Maurice be taken for granted. The last postseason is exhibit A, B, and C for such a statement. Both teams have suffered sensible losses heading into this game. None bigger than Frederik Andersen’s on the visitors’ net. Medical tests discovered blood clotting in the veteran goaltender who will be out indefinitely. In Andersen’s absence, Antti Raanta will take over as the starting goalie for the Canes.
The Panthers are having success lately finding the back of the net in large quantities and could take advantage of this. Here are some keys to victory for the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
NHL Predictions: Carolina vs. Florida
Three Keys to Victory for the Florida Panthers
Win the Special Teams Battle
Talking about the Panthers lack of success on the Power Play and Penalty Kill is becoming a recurrent theme. And, honestly quite a dull one. Quoting Einstein “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”, the quote could very well have been said while tuning into a Panthers game during a Cats’ man-advantage. By now the Panthers weaknesses can be mostly attached to the stretches of the game where a team is handicapped. No matter whether Florida is the penalized team or up a skater, the Panthers struggle. Against the Hurricanes, those struggles could turn a competitive game into a gruesome outing.
The Hurricanes Penalty Kill is no boogeyman or juggernaut either. But the Panthers tend to shoot themselves on their feet and set themselves up for failure. Overdoing it could be the term to define the Panthers PP. Looking for the cute pass or flashy finish instead of returning to the basics. Pass to the open man, shoot, chase for the loose puck, rinse and repeat. Despite the not-great PK percentage from the Hurricanes, when shorthanded the Canes possess many players capable of wreaking havoc. The Panthers need to stay on the lookout for breakaway opportunities. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Teuvo Teravainen are some players who cannot be conceded open ice. The Canes scored 4 goals while shorthanded this season.
Art on the PK#ALLCAPS | PMSI pic.twitter.com/oB0bitq1Lb
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 9, 2023
Despite their Top-10 PP%, the Hurricanes lead the NHL for most shorthanded goals allowed with a tally of 4. In what feels like an unbalanced special teams matchup, this stat could be a light of hope for the Cats. Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, and Gustav Forsling are some of the best players in the Panthers PK. Not only are they great defensively, but they all act as two-way players and possess great speed and hockey IQ to bite back at the right time.
More than glimpses from Playoff Bob
The Hurricanes and Panthers are amongst the 5 teams with the most shots on goal per game. So basing ourselves on that stat, we can expect a very offensive matchup with lots of scoring opportunities for both sides. The defining factor may well be which masked man plays better and the Panthers would sure hope Sergei Bobrovsky wins that honor. Bob was astounding during the Canes-Cats ECF series and a key contributor to the sweep. The Panthers are yet to see Bobrovsky back on that level this season, although they have seen many flashes of it. As is the case around the whole lineup, consistency is needed. And against the Hurricanes the goalie has the perfect opportunity to remind everybody what a 2-time Vezina winner looks like.
Along with the previously mentioned absence of Freddie Andersen, Sergei has to make the most of it. Leading his team to victory from in between the posts.
From Top to Bottom
On paper, it is one very evenly matchup between the Florida and North Carolina franchises. Despite the recent history between them, the sweep was decided in 4 one-score games which could have easily gone either way. Matthew Tkachuk and Bobrovsky were the X-Factors back in the Spring but anybody could be it next Friday. Both teams are currently struggling in their third line and could benefit from that line gaining momentum. The Panthers fourth line is currently more trustworthy and expect Ryan Lomberg to be flying all over the ice for big chunks of the game. The ‘Lomberghini’ is back cruising on the streets and no stormy weather should make him shy away from doing so.
Defencemen is an area where Carolina could take advantage. Although the great performances from newly acquired Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Dmitry Kulikov, the Canes have bigger names all through their 3 pairings. Dmitry Orlov, Brent Burns, and Jaccob Slavin will be among the biggest threats to the Panthers net.
Who will ‘Finnish’ it?
Expectations for the game between the Panthers and Hurricanes will be high in Finland. Both teams’ lineups feature a great amount of players from the Land of the Thousand Lakes. Starring the faceoff-dot battle between Barkov and Aho, but including many others. Such as Lundell, Raanta, Kotkaniemi, Eetu Luostarinen, and Teravainen, the odds of a Finnish scoring the GWG are higher than ever. Would be even higher had not Raanta become a goaltender.
Aho and Barkov will capture all the flashes, but hockey is unpredictable. Anybody can be the hero on any given night. Expect this game to have plenty of highlights and moments worth watching on a loop. Entertainment is assured. The race to the ‘Finnish’ is on.
My man @MikeCugnoCBS4 @CBSMiami
??? pic.twitter.com/LNoNU9cHBr— Steve Goldstein #goldieonbermuda419 (@goldieonice) November 9, 2023
NHL Predictions
The Florida Panthers have a tough test ahead. This game means much more than two points for both sides. If every night every team leaves it all on the ice, we can foresee an even harder grind during this matchup. One team is on the chase for revenge, the other is hoping to set a tone. The Panthers look to win three games in a row for the first time this season. The Hurricanes look to snap that and collect their second 3-game win streak of the season. The barn will be rocking and will have an action-packed game. On Carolina’s emotional return to a place they have not fully recovered from, Bob, Tkachuk and company will look to land another massive blow.
Prediction: Florida takes it 4-2
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
