Hurricanes vs. Panthers Game 3 Prediction & Top Bets (May 24, 2025)
Game 2 was a shutout. Sam Bennett made his stick a wrecking ball and zapped Carolina’s chances—he scored twice and tossed in an assist. Florida won 5-0. If Sergei Bobrovsky broke a sweat, we couldn’t see it under his mask and stopped pucks left and right (17 saves), his third of the playoffs. The Panthers go back to Sunrise up 2–0 and look unstoppable so far.
Carolina hadn’t clapped back; they’ve scored only twice in both games and have to stop the slide against one of the most complete teams that are left standing. If they’re going to make this into a series? It’s gotta start in Game 3!
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
- Series Status: FLA leads 2-0
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, at 8:00 pm ET
- Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
- Broadcast: TNT, Max
Prediction Breakdown
47.9%
52.1%
According to GamblingSite.com
Recent Performance Overview
The Panthers are playing the best hockey, period. Carolina? Not so much. Look below for how both teams have performed so far!
Florida Panthers
- Sam Bennett made it happen with two goals and an assist.
- Bobrovsky got his third playoff shutout and made his 17 saves look easy.
- The Panthers have outscored their last three opponents 17–4 on the road and now go home with a chance to end it. It’s pretty much impossible to come back from a 3-0 lead. It could happen, but it’s unlikely.
Carolina Hurricanes
- Carolina was shut out in Game 2 and only took 17 shots on goal.
- Frederik Andersen gave up four on 16 shots before getting the hook.
- The Hurricanes are in a 14-game losing streak in Conference Finals matchups. Yikes.
Main Players to Watch
Here’s who we’ll be laser-focused on during Game 3:
- Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers): Tkachuk is always making problems for defenders, and it doesn’t matter if he’s on the puck or pulling coverage.
- Sam Bennett (Panthers): Took over Game 2 with two goals and an assist, and made his presence known all over the rink.
- Andrei Svechnikov (Hurricanes): Svechnikov hasn’t made much of an impact in the series, and he needs to get involved offensively and do it in Game 3.
- Frederik Andersen (Hurricanes): Andersen was yanked after giving up four goals. If he gets the nod again, he has to turn things around, or the series could be over.
Betting Odds & Lines
If you’re gonna throw some money at Game 3, look below for the latest odds and lines via FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Hurricanes | +1.5 (-215) | +126 | Over 5.5 (+110) |
Panthers | -1.5 (+172) | -152 | Under 5.5 (-134) |
Best Bets
There are three plays that we feel like are the best bets ahead of Game 3:
- Panthers -144 — Florida has been playing more balanced and confident hockey, particularly with how they’ve handled Carolina’s top lines. Backing them at home makes a lot of sense unless Carolina shows us something different.
- Over 5.5 Goals -110 — The Panthers are putting puck after puck in the net, and Carolina’s going to have to take a lot more risks if they want to keep up.
- Matthew Tkachuk to Score Anytime (+150) — He’s a scoring machine, he’s aggressive, and he’s getting tons of looks near the crease.
Panthers in Control: Can the Hurricanes Strike Back?
Game 3 isn’t a formality yet, but it could be if Carolina doesn’t wake up.
- Florida’s scoring has come from all over the ice, and their defensive structure hasn’t let up.
- Bobrovsky looks relaxed, confident, and right at home in the net, which is something Carolina’s crease lacks.
- The Hurricanes need something from somewhere to get back in this series. Could be Svechnikov. It could be a greasy goal. Or maybe better puck luck.
- If you’re betting this one, Florida and the over make the most sense again unless you really believe that Carolina can turn it around and make a comeback.
Final Score Prediction: Panthers 4, Hurricanes 2
Our final prediction for Game 3 is this: The Panthers win on home ice and take a 3–0 lead, and that leaves the Hurricanes with no margin left.
FYI: Odds don’t always stay as they are, so make sure you check the top online sportsbooks for the latest lines before you make a bet!
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