Ryan Hodges
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The Hurricanes vs Panthers series has not exactly been a goal-fest considering there have been more than 4 overtimes and an average of less than a goal per period. Regardless, someone has to score in Game 3 tonight. Early on, the players who have produced for the Panthers have been those you would have expected. It is a bit different for the Hurricanes, though, as they are searching for answers offensively. If the Panthers are going to win, their top players will need to continue producing, while the Hurricanes need their stars to step up.
Below are a couple of my favorite plays in tonight’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. You can also check out our NHL picks.
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Carter Verhaeghe over 0.5 goals (+145)
Carter Verhaeghe has been a significant factor in the Panthers’ success this postseason. He has 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 14 games. Any time a player can average a point per game in the playoffs, they are doing something right. Verhaeghe has turned it up lately specifically as he has 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games. Things have obviously looked very good for the Panthers and their top players have continued to produce as the team has found a way to get the job done. Verhaeghe has been no exception. While Florida is in a groove and getting contributions from key players, this +145 for their second-top scorer on the team to tally a goal is a great value.
It is not a surprise to see Verhaeghe coming through when the team needs it most in the playoffs. He now has 14 goals and 31 in 38 career playoff games. This is Verhaeghe’s 4th consecutive postseason including games for the 2020 Stanley Cup champions the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is getting to a point where he has the reputation of being a prototypical good playoff-type player and Verhaeghe has been rewarded by being on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Anthony Duclair. He is also on the second power-play unit. Florida has played relentlessly and Verhaeghe is in a great spot to continue to be part of it.
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Brent Burns over 0.5 points (-125)
The Hurricanes need more from their top players, but in fairness, the 3 goals they have scored have involved some combination of those stars. Even so, 3 goals in 2 games is just not enough. Brent Burns, at the age of 38, had 18 goals and 61 points in all 82 games played during the regular season and he has 22 goals and 71 points in 107 career playoff games. Burns certainly qualifies as a top player. He has been good in these playoffs and doesn’t exactly need to turn it around, but the Hurricanes need a spark from somewhere and a proven veteran such as Burns is more than capable of providing it.
Burns was quiet in terms of contributions to the scoresheet for 5 games in the first and second rounds. He now has 4 points in his last 4 games, and has logged 16 shots on goal over that span in 23 minutes of ice time. Burns is relied on by his coaching staff and teammates and will continue to be as the Hurricanes now need to win 4 of the next 5 games if they are going to head to the Stanley Cup Finals. Their backs are against the wall and they should give their hardest push yet in these playoffs. Look for Burns to get plenty of opportunities and be a contributor in a comeback bid tonight.
Read our Hurricanes vs Panthers Same Game Parlay
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