The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and on May 18th, the Carolina Hurricanes will face off against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of their first-round series. Both teams had strong regular seasons, with the Panthers finishing second in the Central Division and the Hurricanes finishing third. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make a statement in the opening game.
When it comes to betting on this game, there are a few things to consider. The odds currently favor the Hurricanes, with most sportsbooks listing them as -135 favorites. The Panthers, on the other hand, are listed as +115 underdogs. This means that if you bet $100 on the Hurricanes and they win, you would only win $74.07, while a $100 bet on the Panthers would net you $115 if they pull off the upset.
The spread for this game is set at 1.5 goals, with the Hurricanes favored to cover. This means that if you bet on the Hurricanes to cover the spread, they would need to win by at least two goals for your bet to be successful. If you bet on the Panthers to cover the spread, they would either need to win outright or lose by no more than one goal.
When it comes to picking a winner for this game, it’s important to consider each team’s strengths and weaknesses. The Hurricanes are known for their strong defense and goaltending, with goalie Alex Nedeljkovic posting a .932 save percentage during the regular season. They also have a potent offense led by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. The Panthers, on the other hand, have a high-powered offense led by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, but their defense and goaltending have been inconsistent at times.
Ultimately, this game could go either way, but if you’re looking to make a pick, it’s worth considering the Hurricanes’ strong defense and goaltending as well as their home-ice advantage. The Panthers will need to find a way to solve Nedeljkovic and tighten up defensively if they want to come out on top. Regardless of the outcome, this promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams.