2025 NHL Eastern Conference Final Prediction: Panthers vs. Hurricanes Expert Picks, Odds

The defending champion Florida Panthers are focused on making it three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances as we analyze their chances against the defensively sound Carolina Hurricanes.

Gary Pearson

Last updated: May 19, 2025 7:31 AM EDT • 5 min read

Panthers vs. Hurricanes Series Prediction: Eastern Conference Final Odds, Best Bets — Pitured: Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky celebrate winning Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Photo by John E. Sokolowski via Imagn Images

The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes will meet in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons, with the former the slight favorites at our best sports betting sites to advance to their third straight Stanley Final.

Our Panthers vs. Hurricanes prediction breaks down which team has the advantage entering the series while highlighting an AI pick with accompanying ChatGPT analysis.

🔢 Panthers vs. Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final odds

The odds are via our best NHL betting sites and are updated in real time.

🤔 Panthers vs. Hurricanes prediction

The Hurricanes have been knocking on the Stanley Cup Final door for a few years. And if it were against anyone else, I'd recommend backing them to finally get over the hump. But we're not discussing anyone else; we're talking about the defending Cup champions, a team with more depth than an Academy Award Best Picture winner.

They have a core of players built for postseason success, including Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, and Carter Verhaeghe. While the Hurricanes are an elite defensive outfit, they don't have the offensive prowess of a Panthers team that can score from any position regardless of which line is on the ice.

And new additions Brad Marchand and Seth Jones have arguably been the team's most influential players, with the former tied for the most points (12) with Eetu Luostarinen.

💡 Eastern Conference Final prediction: Panthers
💰 Best odds: -115 via Caesars

Bet $1, Get Ten 100% Profit Boosts

New users only. Must use promo code. Min. $10 deposit. Max. bonus is ten 100% Profit Boost tokens. Profit Boost tokens expire in 14 days. Void where prohibited. Full terms.

Claim Boosts

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

📈 Panthers vs. Hurricanes comparison

	Panthers	Hurricanes
Offense	✅
Defense		✅
5-on-5	✅
Special teams		✅
Goaltending	✅

Offense: The Panthers have scored the second-most goals per game of the remaining teams (3.75), while the Hurricanes are just behind in third, scoring 3.40 per game. However, 56% of the Hurricanes' goals came against an injury-ravaged New Jersey Devils defense.

While the Hurricanes are known for their score-by-committee approach, the Panthers have taken that mantra to another level, becoming the first team in over 30 years to have 17 unique goal scorers through their first 10 playoff games. Forsling was the only Panthers defenseman not to score in the second round, further highlighting their embarrassment of offensive riches.

The Panthers also have the advantage individually, as they are loaded with high-end offensive talent throughout the lineup.

Defense: The Hurricanes get the edge here thanks to a sensational collective effort. They have allowed the fewest goals per game (1.80), only conceding more than two once against the Capitals, which came via an empty-net insurance marker in Game 2. They allowed one in four of 10 games while also securing a shutout.

5-on-5: Both teams are superb at hemming the other team deep and dictating play, but the Panthers have the second-best goals for above expected (6.04), while the Hurricanes are second-worst (-7.71). Carolina is far superior regarding goals against above expected, with -8.62, compared to the Panthers' 2.1.

However, it took a while for Sergei Bobrovsky to find his best form. Now that he has, the Panthers will invariably cut that deficit.

Special teams: The Hurricanes have the fourth-best power play and second-best of the remaining teams (28.4%), while the Panthers are down in 10th (20.5%). Carolina is also verging on immaculate on the penalty kill, with a playoff-best 93.3%. The Panthers don't concede much ground there, with the second-best penalty kill (89.5%).

Goaltending: If you base it purely on stats, Frederik Andersen - a Conn Smythe Trophy odds front-runner - has the edge. But I'm compelled to include various other factors in this scenario, facilitating a Bobrovsky advantage.

The Cats' ace rounded into peak form in the latter stages of the second round, and he was two or three poor performances away from winning last season's Conn Smythe. Plus, Andersen has been plagued by durability and health issues, a recurring theme that reared its injured head in Round 1, albeit briefly.

💰 Panthers vs. Hurricanes best bets

Odds via FanDuel

Bet	Odds	Implied win probability	Profit ($10 bet)
🏆 Panthers win series 4-2	+420	19.23%	$42
💰 Exact # of games: 6	+195	33.90%	$19.50
🎯 Correct score after 3 games: Panthers 2-1	+130	6.25%	$13

🤖 Panthers vs. Hurricanes AI prediction

We asked ChatGPT, a large language model chatbot from OpenAI, for its best prediction to win the Eastern Conference Final. Please note that ChatGPT is not an experienced bettor but can provide additional information and insights into the tournament and betting markets. This is for entertainment purposes only.

💡 AI Eastern Conference Final prediction: Panthers 4-3
💰 Best odds: +475 via DraftKings

🌀 Carolina Hurricanes – Why they can win

1. Defensive Structure and Discipline

Carolina plays arguably the most organized defensive system in the NHL
They’ve allowed just 10 goals across 5 games vs. Washington, and their ability to limit time and space in the neutral zone suffocates offensive transition teams - something Florida relies on.

2. Depth Scoring

While Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov provide the star power, Carolina’s second and third lines - featuring Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Nečas, and Seth Jarvis - have delivered consistent production.
They're also dangerous on the power play, ranking near the top of the playoffs so far.

3. Frederik Andersen's Rebound

Andersen has been lights out in big moments. In Game 5 vs. Washington, he stopped all 18 shots. His calm, veteran presence behind a stingy defense gives them a stabilizing backbone.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

🗓️ Panthers vs. Hurricanes schedule

All games start at 8 p.m. ET

Game 1: Tuesday, May 20, Lenovo Center (Raleigh, N.C.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 2: Thursday, May 22, Lenovo Center (Raleigh, N.C.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 3: Saturday, May 24, Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4: Monday, May 26, Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5: *Wednesday, May 28, Lenovo Center (Raleigh, N.C.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 6: *Friday, May 30, Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 7: *Sunday, June 1, Lenovo Center (Raleigh, N.C.) 📺/🛜: TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS

💵 Best hockey betting sites

Want to bet on the Stanley Cup playoffs? Check out the best NHL betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written By:
Gary Pearson

Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.