Panthers vs. Hurricanes Predictions, Picks & Odds: ECF Game 1, 5/20
We have finally arrived at the final four of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs! The Eastern conference will kick things off tonight for the conference final series in what should be a great matchup between last year's Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers against the upstart Carolina Hurricanes of the Metropolitan Division.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Predictions For Tonight's Eastern Conference Finals Game 1, 5/20
We have finally made it out of divisional play in these Stanley Cup Playoffs and I could not be more excited for this matchup. Each team plays the game in a very different way as the Panthers lean on their star power while the Hurricanes are one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Both teams are coached at the highest level and have played the best defense of any team in the postseason as well. This is going to be a long grind it out type of series that should go 6 or 7 games and I can't wait to watch it all unfold.
Florida Panthers: The Hunt for Back to Back Cups
The Panthers are now just 8 wins away from being the first NHL team to win back to back Stanley Cups since the Penguins did it in 2016/2017 and look like they are prime to pull it off! They have been the 2nd best team in terms of goals allowed per game at just 2.42 and their offense is posting 3.75 goals per game.
They have been lead in the scoring department on offense but Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarianen with 12 points each and that is really a credit to their depth throughout the lineup. On the defensive end goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 8-4 these payoffs with a .231 GAA and .901 SV% meaning he has been good when called upon but hasn't faced much of a large shot volume to date.
The Panthers come into Game 1 slight favorites in the series at -125 and are 6-2 on the road these Stanley Cup playoffs.
Carolina Hurricanes: Trying to Break Through to the Other Side
Its been a cycle of frustration for the Hurricanes when it comes to the postseason over the last 7 seasons as they've made the playoffs every season but have yet to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals despite having some teams capable of reaching the top. This does however mark the first time in this playoff streak that they have made the ECF and maybe that's a good omen for them.
The Hurricanes play the best team game of any team left in the tournament and that's a huge credit to Rod Brind'amor and his system. They smother teams defensively and they wear them out to create chances for themselves on the offensive end. This has led to them allowing just 1.8 goals per game these playoffs, the best mark out of the 16 teams that made the postseason.
The Hurricanes are lead in scoring by Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis who each have 10 points these playoffs and they also play on the top line of the forward group. On defense Frederik Andersen has been a brick wall in net with a 1.36 GAA and .937 SV%. His play has kept the Hurricanes in control of play through the opening pair of series and has had minimal mistakes.
Carolina comes into this series as slight underdogs at +105 but they are favored on the Money Line of Game 1 at home where they are 5-0 these playoffs.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines, Game 1
- Puck Line: Florida Panthers +1.5 (-250) vs. Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+205)
- Money Line: Florida Panthers (+105) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-125)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 5.5 (+110) vs. Under 5.5 (-130)
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Best Bet: Game Total Under 5.5 (-130 on DraftKings)
This series features the two best statistical goalies left in the playoffs and two teams that are committed to playing defense first hockey as reflected by their xGA at 2.58 and 2.63. These numbers are significant as the new series begins and the two teams are going to see who will blink first.
The Panthers are 5-7 towards the under in games this postseason but they have yet to play a team built like the Hurricanes, this matchup will provide some issues for them scoring especially on the road against a Hurricanes team that have allowed 8 goals in 5 home games so far.
The Hurricanes and the under also fit as they're not a high scoring team this postseason and just 34 goals over 10 games. They have allowed just 8 goals over 5 home games as well. Give me the under here, should be a stalemate for most of this series and for the series opener tonight.
Player News
Tyler Glasnow struggled in his second minor league rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings of work.
When asked about his performance, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts said that Glasnow’s stuff looked fine but that he was too inefficient with his pitches. The team had been hopeful that he would get through four innings in that start, but it took him 66 pitches (37 strikes) to record seven outs. He remains on track to join the Dodgers’ rotation at some point during the month of July.
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday.
No word yet on where that assignment will begin, but Yoshida is expected to need plenty of at-bats before he’s an option to join the Red Sox’ lineup. If all goes according to plan, it sounds like they’re hopeful he’ll be ready to return coming out of the All-Star break.
Sean Manaea (oblique, elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.
If all goes well there, he’ll be cleared to resume his minor league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old hurler was shut down last week after the discovery of a loose body in his left elbow. The Mets remain hopeful that he’ll be able to join their starting rotation around the All-Star break.
Josh Naylor (neck) is not in the Diamondbacks’ starting lineup for Saturday’s ballgame against the Nationals.
Naylor was removed from Friday night’s contest against the Diamondbacks due to stiffness in his neck. While it doesn’t sound like it’ll require a trip to the injured list, the Diamondbacks will take a cautious approach here and keep him out for an extra day. Pavin Smith will cover first base in his stead on Saturday afternoon and will bat third for the Diamondbacks.
Mariners selected the contract of RHP Juan Burgos from Triple-A Tacoma.
It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 25-year-old hurler. Burgos has been absolutely dominant at Triple-A Tacoma this season, posting a 0.64 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and a 29/7 K/BB ratio over 28 innings of work. He has nothing left to prove there, so the M’s will see if he can continue that dominance at the major league level. Zach Pop was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Saturday.
Mariners designated RHP Zach Pop for assignment.
The 28-year-old hurler made just four appearances with the Mariners, posting a 13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and a 3/2 K/BB ratio over 5 1/3 innings. He has had success at the big league level in the past though, which may be enough for another team to take a chance on him on waivers.