Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 2 Prediction – 5/22/2025

The Florida Panthers seized home-ice advantage on Tuesday night with a commanding 5–2 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes, putting themselves ahead 1–0 in the Eastern Conference Final and raising the temperature on a best-of-seven that resumes Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern time in Raleigh. Sergei Bobrovsky was the backbone of the victory, turning aside 31 shots as Florida struck twice on the power play and limited Carolina’s high-volume attack to long stretches of frustration.

That opening punch extended an uncomfortable narrative for the Hurricanes. Tuesday’s setback ran their skid in this round to 13 straight defeats dating back to 2009, including nine under Rod Brind’Amour. Special teams lapses were glaring—Carolina yielded two power-play goals after allowing only two in their previous 10 playoff outings—while Frederik Andersen allowed five goals on 20 shots.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 2 Preview

Game 2 offers Carolina little margin for error against a Florida group that has rediscovered its road punch. The defending champions have poured in 38 goals across eight away games this postseason, tying the 2022 Colorado Avalanche for the most in league history at this stage. Bobrovsky’s 2.16 goals-against average and fluid puck handling steadied a blue line that excels at clearing rebounds and blocking slots.

Offensively, Florida has enjoyed balanced production. Eetu Luostarinen, Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe all sit at double-digit points, a spread that forces opponents to pick their poison. Carolina’s scoring has been top-heavy by contrast: Seth Jarvis owns a team-best 12 points and Andrei Svechnikov has eight goals, but drop-off after the first two lines is evident, especially five-on-five where the Hurricanes generated just 15 slot attempts in Game 1.

Blueline depth remains a concern for the home side. Jalen Chatfield, who logs key penalty-kill minutes and starts most shifts in the defensive zone, is listed day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after missing Game 1. Rookie Scott Morrow was minus-3 in his place, and Carolina’s transition game sputtered without Chatfield’s puck-moving outlet. Florida, meanwhile, reports no significant absences; even the previously dinged Evan Rodrigues is off the injury list, giving coach Paul Maurice full flexibility to roll four efficient forward lines.

Expect Carolina to open with furious pace, relying on zone-time dominance and shot volume. The Hurricanes attempted 33 shots in Game 1 yet converted only twice. Their success Thursday hinges on creating high-danger looks from inside the dots and planting bigger bodies at Bobrovsky’s crease. Florida will again lean on disciplined positioning, quick exits and a punishing forecheck that forced Carolina defenders into nine giveaways in the opener.

Betting Insights

• Moneyline: Hurricanes -125, Panthers +110 (consensus).
• Puck line: Panthers +1.5 at -225; Hurricanes -1.5 at +200.
• Total goals: 5.5, shaded to the under at -115 at most shops.
• Recent form: Florida has won six of its last seven playoff contests and is 6-2 away from Sunrise this spring. Carolina has dropped four of its past five at Lenovo Center against Florida dating back to last year’s conference sweep.
• Key player props: Sam Bennett anytime goal +235, Andrei Svechnikov over 3.5 shots on goal -130, Sergei Bobrovsky over 27.5 saves -110.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 2 Prediction

Carolina’s urgency will be sky-high, yet several underlying indicators still favor the visitors. Florida’s top-six owns the speed to attack Carolina’s high pinching defense, and Bobrovsky’s rebound control neutralizes the Hurricanes’ trademark scramble plays. With Chatfield doubtful, Brind’Amour may again split his top pair to steady the blue line, thinning his options against three productive Panther lines.

Florida also enjoys a special-teams edge: the Panthers power play sits at 28.3 percent in the postseason, while Carolina’s penalty kill has dipped to 79 percent after Tuesday. Conversely, the Hurricanes’ own power play is clicking at only 15 percent and looked static in Game 1. Unless that unit finds fresh ideas, the Panthers can afford to play a straight-line, whistle-to-whistle contest and wait for opportunities created by their relentless forecheck.

Best Bet: Panthers moneyline +110. Florida’s depth, road confidence and decisive goaltending edge outweigh the situational bounce-back spot for Carolina. The under on 5.5 is also worth a look given both clubs’ disciplined defensive systems, yet the stronger value lies with a champion that appears fractionally ahead in every phase. Projected score: Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2.

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