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 hosting the Carolina Hurricanes in this all-important Game 3 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
Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers
Series Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-2 Panthers
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT, TruTV, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS; Max
It’s time for another round of NHL predictions and we’re now at an all important juncture of the series with Game 3 in our crosshairs. The Panthers look like the team to beat and are on their way to repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Florida has outscored Carolina, 10-2, in the first two games on the series.
The Hurricanes have lost 14 straight Eastern Conference Final games. Carolina’s last win in an Eastern final was June 1, 2006. Many think the Canes are done in this series, but Rod Brind’Amour‘s team will not go down without a fight.
Let’s take a look at the statistics and storylines heading into Game 3 in this latest round of NHL predictions.
The Hurricanes Story
Carolina looked like they would provide stiff opposition after dumping the Washington Capitals in round two. However, the Hurricanes have not looked like themselves this series. They can’t keep pucks out of the net and are struggling to score.
Frederik Andersen has struggled and we could see Pytor Kochetkov get the start in net. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter.
Seth Jarvis leads the team in points with 12 and Sebastian Aho is second with 11. Andrei Svechnikov is the team’s leader in goals so far this post-season with eight.
The Panthers Story
Florida is playing just like they did when they hosted the Stanley Cup like they did at the end of last season. The Panthers are playing well at both ends of the ice. There’s still plenty of series left, but Carolina has to come up with something in order to turn the tide.
Sergei Bobrovsky has turned back to “Playoff Bob” in the last two games. His great play gives Florida even more reasons to think that it will repeat just like the Pittsburgh Penguins did just under a decade ago.
Sam Bennett leads the team in goals with nine and is tied for the club lead in points with 13 this post-season. Carter Verhaeghe and Eetu Luostarinen also have 13 points during this playoff run.
Predictions
Carolina hasn’t given many reasons to prove that it can turn things around. There’s no doubt that the Hurricanes will come out with some sort of fire. However, the Panthers have dealt with situations like this before.
Florida take care of business and move on step closer to getting to its third straight Stanley Cup Final.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-1.
Prop Bets of the Night
We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets. The over/under for this game is 5.5 and we like the under just by a little bit.
As for individual props, go with Jarvis to get a power-play in this game for Carolina. On the Florida side of things, go with Aleksander Barkov to get a goal in this one.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Game 3 Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.