PNC Arena will play host to an Eastern Conference matchup as the Florida Panthers square off against the Carolina Hurricanes. The game will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2 and it is being shown live on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Losing -5.1 units for moneyline bettors, Carolina is 10-14 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (36-46). Of the team’s 24 games this season, 13 have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 5-7 SU at home this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all penalties.
The Hurricanes, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties just 2.7 times per game overall this season, 2.8 per game over their last five matchups total, and 3.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 24.6 saves per game with a .903 save percentage, Scott Darling (7-12-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Canes this season. Darling did just play last night, however, so head coach Bill Peters might decide to give him a rest and instead go with Cam Ward (3-3-3 record, .907 save percentage, 3.03 goals against average).
Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Williams will both be focal points for the Hurricanes. Teravainen (21 points) has tallied eight goals and 13 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Williams has five goals and 13 assists to his name and has notched a point in 13 contests.
Over on the other bench, Florida is 10-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 25 regular season matches, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. The Panthers are 5-8 SU as the road team this season.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 2.9 per game over their past ten contests. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Roberto Luongo (33.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Luongo owns a 6-8-1 record, while registering a .928 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will be coordinated by Jonathan Huberdeau (eight goals, 17 assists) and Aleksander Barkov (eight goals, 15 assists).
Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in three of Carolina’s last five outings.
This game features two clubs that have pounded opposing nets with shots. Florida has taken the league’s sixth-most shots on goal (34.5) and Carolina has attempted the third-most (35.5).
