Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers taking on the Carolina Hurricanes in this series-opening Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Final series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Series Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Hurricanes
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Max; CBC; Sportsnet; TVAS
We’ve got Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final series between the Panthers and the Hurricanes. Florida took care of business in the series-opener with a 5-2 victory. Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves as “Playoff Bob” made another appearance. Carter Verhaeghe totaled a goal and an assist for the Panthers.
It was the familiar refrain of the Hurricanes losing a Game 1. Carolina has lost 13 straight games in an Eastern Conference Final series. Seth Jarvis generated a pair of assists for the Hurricanes in the first game.
Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines heading into Game 2 in this round of NHL predictions.
The Panthers Story
Florida didn’t look like it went through the rigors of a seven-game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers appeared like they didn’t need rest against a Hurricanes squad.
Bobrovsky will draw the start and is looking to repeat his performances from the first game. There were times in the Toronto series that he was inconsistent. However, Bobrovsky at his peak can be a problem.
Eetu Luostarinen is the team’s leader in points with 13. However, there are seven other players that have double-digit points so far this post-season.
The Hurricanes Story
Carolina has struggled mightily in the Eastern Final in recent memory. The Hurricanes yielded five of the first six goals of the game before getting a late consolation marker from Jackson Blake.
Frederik Andersen has been great most of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, he had troubles in Game 1 dealing with the Panthers lineup. Carolina will have to find a way to deal with scoring depth of Florida.
Jarvis leads the team in points this post-season with 12. Sebastian Aho is second with 11 while Andrei Svechnikov has eight goals and 10 points.
Prediction
Florida has all the momentum and is playing like the defending Stanley Cup champions that it is. Depth scoring has been great for the Panthers and the Hurricanes will need to be able to take advantage of having the final change.
Carolina will be looking to end its dubious streak in the Eastern Final. However, Florida is just playing too well at this time.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 5.5 and the Panthers’ scoring prowess has the over as the play for this game.
As for individual props, take Sam Reinart to get a goal in this game for Florida. On the Carolina side of things, go with Aho to get a point in this game.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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