Panthers and Hurricanes rekindle their 2023 rivalry in a high-stakes Game 1 showdown of Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday
For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are set to clash in the Eastern Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line.
The Panthers, making their third consecutive appearance in the conference finals, enter the series riding the momentum of a dominant 6-1 Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida’s battle-tested lineup is looking to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row, and they’ll have history on their side after sweeping the Hurricanes in their last playoff meeting in the 2023 Conference Finals.
More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals
But this year’s Hurricanes team appears more battle-hardened and dangerous than the one that fell short two seasons ago. Carolina made a statement in the second round by eliminating the top-seeded Washington Capitals in just five games, showcasing both their newfound depth and scoring touch.
This series promises high intensity, fast-paced action, and no shortage of bad blood between two teams that know each other all too well and it all kicks off Tuesday night.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 9-5 record on our last 14 picks, including perfect records during Game 1 and 4 of the Maple Leafs-Senators series.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
The player most people remember from the Panthers last postseason meeting with Carolina is Matthew Tkachuk, who scored two game-winning goals. The Arizona native has been notably playing through an injury that has limited his offence to three goals and six assists, four of which were secondary, totalling nine points through 12 games.
Tkachuk rides a nine-game goal drought and recorded no points in his final two games versus Toronto. People are expecting a bounce back here but I don't see it happening against a battle-tested Canes defence that limited the Capitals to two or fewer goals in four of their five series games.
Washington had the second-best offence in the league during the regular season with a 3.49 goals per game average compared to Florida's 3.00 average. The Capitals scored 40 more goals than the Panthers this season and the Canes held them in check due to stellar play from netminder Fredrick Andersen.
At home, the Swedish netminder has a perfect 5-0 record with a 1.60 goals against average this postseason and is the betting favourite on the Hurricanes to win the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.
More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider
If the Panthers wanna win it'll have to be with clutch goals and elite goaltending ii return which they've received as well but from Sergei Bobrovsky. The star goaltender helped lead the Panthers to a championship last season and hasn't skipped a beat with a sensational effort versus the Maple Leafs when his team needed him with four goals allowed over the final four games.
The public didn't like the low-scoring games Carolina forced into Washington in the second round but I would expect this again as both teams will look to smother each other and play a solid defensive game as they have all season. All but the final game of their series two years ago had every game go under five goals and I expect we should see a similar story here.
More Hockey: Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season
According to a report from RG Media, the Detroit Red Wings are one of a handful of teams interested in facilitating an NHL return for Maxime Comtois, a 2017 draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks who spent last season in Russia, playing for the KHL's Dynamo Moscow.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
"I felt like I got a second wind," RG quoted Comtois as saying in a recent interview. "I've always said I want to return to the NHL, and this season I did everything possible to make that happen. Hockey had become just a job for me in North America, but here, it became my passion again." Comtois scored 21 goals and gave 29 assists in 62 regular season games for Dynamo this season. Per RG, the Boston Bruins are among the other teams potentially interested in Comtois' services.
Panthers Duo a Strong Potential Red Wings Free Agent Fit
Three Potential RFA Offer Sheets for the Red Wings
Can Tarasenko Bounce Back from Lowly First Year in Detroit?
Three Highlights from Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan's End of Season Press Availability
It is worth noting that Comtois played for the 2018 Canadian World Junior Team, from which five players (Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod) are currently standing trial for sexual assault. Comtois has not been charged with any wrongdoing. In 2022 (when these reports began to surface), he released a statement describing the allegations as "deeply troubling" and expressing his intent to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Now 26, Comtois has played 211 career NHL games (all but one with Anaheim, the other with the Carolina Hurricanes), totaling 38 goals and 49 points for 87 points. He's not a player with the potential to provide Detroit with a seismic impact, but he could be a low cost, quality depth acquisition.
Do you see Comtois as a worthwhile acquisition for the Red Wings? Let us know in the comments.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
The Carolina Hurricanes have a big question mark on the blueline as we head toward puck drop of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Defenseman Jalen Chatfield has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, that seemed to have flared up in Game 4 of the Canes' second-round series against the Washington Capitals.
The veteran missed Game 5 and a few Hurricanes practices, and Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said he'd probably need a practice before he gets back in.
While he did take the morning skate on Tuesday morning, he was skating as an extra during the practice session so his status is still up in the air.
"We're still debating it, but it was a good sign that he was out there," Brind'Amour said. "Whether he's ready to go, that will be determined here shortly. Good sign that he was at least out there with us.
Chatfield had one goal in nine postseason games this season, but more importantly, he's a vital piece of the Hurricanes' staunch blueline.
He plays big minutes, averaging 20:24 a night in these playoffs, and he's making a difference whether it's at 5v5 or on the penalty kill.
"He definitely wants to play, so we'll see where it goes," Brind'Amour said.
If he can't go, rookie blueliner Scott Morrow will draw into the lineup for his NHL postseason debut.
"He's been around a little longer, knows our system a little better than [Alexander Nikishin] does and he played well when he came up," Brind'Amour said. "There's also the righty/lefty thing, that does matter a little bit. So those little things help. I think he's earned the right to have a shot, so we'll see."
Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.