Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
Florida Panthers
Carolina Hurricanes
In the early hours of Tuesday, May 27, the fourth game of the Eastern Conference Finals will see the Florida Panthers face off against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 2:00 AM Central European Time. Here’s our preview and prediction for this clash.
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes: match preview
The Florida Panthers are just one win away from reaching their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final. The team has delivered outstanding performances in the previous three games and now leads the series 3-0. The Panthers are playing high-quality hockey: they're excelling on the power play, and even at even strength, the team looks confident. Over their last four games, Florida has scored at least five goals per outing. Moreover, as previous playoff rounds have shown, the Panthers tend to pick up momentum as the postseason progresses. They dispatched Tampa Bay 4-1, and their series against Toronto was truly spectacular—clutch play at the end and a 4-3 triumph over the Maple Leafs.
The Carolina Hurricanes were dominant in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They steamrolled New Jersey 4-1, then beat their next opponent by the same margin. However, against Florida, the team has lost its earlier confidence and now stands on the brink of elimination. Carolina's record in conference finals is catastrophic—0 wins in their last 15 games across the past four such series. The Hurricanes are once again at risk of being swept 0-4. If they hope to bring the series back to Carolina, something has to change—fast.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Florida leads the series 3-0. One more win puts them in the finals.
- Carolina Hurricanes hold an unwanted record: 0 wins in 15 conference finals games over their last four appearances.
- Florida has scored at least five goals in four consecutive games.
- In their last seven outings, the Panthers have not allowed more than two goals in a game.
- Florida boasts the third-best power play efficiency among all remaining teams.
- The Panthers also have the best penalty kill in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Prediction
The Florida Panthers are showcasing outstanding hockey in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team is expertly neutralizing their opponent, making life extremely difficult for Carolina. The Hurricanes are in a must-win situation, but I have serious doubts about their ability to turn the series around. My pick: Florida Panthers to win at odds of 1.85.
