The best betting strategy in the 2023 NHL Playoffs has been to take the tie on the 3-way 60-minute money line as that has cashed in all 4 games so far. The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers played 4 OT periods in their first meeting and another in Game 2, with the Panthers emerging on top each time.
That gives them a 2-0 lead as the teams move to Florida and the Hurricanes will arrive desperate for a victory in the 8:00 pm ET game on TNT. The Panthers’ incredible playoff run began with them eliminating the Boston Bruins in the first round before they knocked out the Toronto Maple Leafs and they are already halfway to adding the Canes to that illustrious list of victims.
The teams will go at each other again on Monday night, so let’s take a look at the odds, betting lines and our expert’s best bets for Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3.
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Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers odds & betting lines
Money line odds: Hurricanes -104, Panthers -110
Total goals over/under: 5.5 goals
Puck line odds: Hurricanes +1.5 -260, Panthers -1.5 +225
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Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers expert picks
Hurricanes vs Panthers money line pick: Panthers ML (-110, BetMGM)
The Panthers suddenly look unstoppable. With their Game 2 win on Saturday, they have now won 9 of their last 10 games. Entering the series it would have felt improbable that they could go up 3-0 on the Hurricanes after starting the series in Carolina, but the Panthers have given bettors no reason to jump off the train now. They have not blown away their opponents, but they just find a way. With wins in the first 2 games of this series, the Panthers now have 7 victories in their last 9 games against the Hurricanes dating back to April 2021. Florida has had Carolina’s number over the years and that was reinforced last week. Until the Panthers look remotely flappable, they continue to be the reliable play.
The Hurricanes really needed at least a split at home as they have not been a very good road team in the playoffs over the last couple of seasons and went 0-6 on the road in the postseason last year. They have been better in these playoffs with a 3-2 record on the road so far, but with just a +1 goal differential. Being on the road is still is an area of vulnerability for Carolina. The Panthers have not exactly torn it up at home but they are playing so well that it is difficult to justify fading them.
Be sure to check out our Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Same Game Parlay
Hurricanes vs Panthers over/under total goals pick: Under 5.5 (-106, FanDuel)
Typically when a series enters its 12th period of play, the teams are starting the 3rd period of Game 4 or somewhere around there. This Eastern Conference Final will play its 12th period at the beginning of Game 3. Granted, the Game 2 overtime lasted less than 2 minutes, but there have already been 9 intermissions as these players have packed a ton of hockey into just 2 games. Even so, in what would otherwise be more than 3 full games to this point, there have been only 8 goals scored. That is an average of less than a goal scored per period. It doesn’t take a skilled mathematician to realize that would bring a regulation game total of less than 3 goals. The totals will probably not stay this low, but for now, totals of 5.5 have not been in jeopardy from these teams.
After a high-scoring series against the Bruins, the Panthers have just shut the door. Entering the postseason, their goal-prevention metrics were below the NHL league average. But they have dialed it up since beating Boston. Their game totals have gone low as they have not lit up the scoreboard either and Florida has been winning low-scoring games. Even if the Hurricanes find a way to pull this one out, there is no indication it will be a shootout. Defense has been the primary strength of the Hurricanes throughout the regular season and postseason and the matchup of these teams continues to look good for the under.
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