Two teams currently on losing skids, the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice at PNC Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. Fox SportsNet Florida will showcase the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 7.
Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina comes into the matchup as the noticeable favorite with a -145 moneyline. The line for Florida sits at +125, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the over and +100 for the under.
The Hurricanes are 4-8 straight up (SU) and have recorded -5.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 36-46 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 12 regular season contests, seven of the team’s games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 1-4 SU at home so far this year.
Carolina’s converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all penalties.
Carolina, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 2.3 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 2.7, the lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 5.8 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 4.5 minutes per matchup this season.
With a .903 save percentage and 23.8 saves per game, Scott Darling (3-6-3) has been the top option in goal for the Hurricanes this season. If head coach Bill Peters decides to give him the night off, however, the team could turn to Cam Ward (1-2-2 record, .911 save percentage, 3.40 goals against average).
The Canes will continue to look for leadership from Jeff Skinner and Justin Williams. Skinner (nine points) has produced seven goals and two assists and has recorded multiple points on two separate occasions this year. Williams has one goal and eight assists to his name and has notched a point in seven contests.
Just like Carolina, Florida hasn’t put its record to good use for bettors. The team has lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors this year, even though it’s posted a record of 4-9 straight up (SU). A total of 11 of its contests have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed. Florida’s 1-4 SU as a road team this season.
Florida has converted on 16.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 71.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida’s players have been penalized 4.8 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.1, which was the seventh-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.9 penalty minutes per game a year ago (10th-most in the league), the team’s had to kill penalties for 11.7 minutes per outing this season.
James Reimer (4.00 goals against average and .890 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 26.1 saves per game and has three wins, six losses, and one overtime loss to his credit.
Jonathan Huberdeau (five goals, 10 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Panthers.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The over has hit in three of Carolina’s last five outings.
- Penalties and power plays may be extremely important in tonight’s matchup. The Panthers are 1-4 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 1-5 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Hurricanes are 2-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 3-8 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Florida has allowed 4.3 goals per game this year, but is allowing 5.8 goals per match up over its four-game losing streak.
