Last Word On Hockey
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Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers taking on the Carolina Hurricanes in this potentially series-ending Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Final series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT, TruTV, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS; Max
This round of NHL predictions looks at Game 5, where the Panthers get another crack at closing out the Hurricanes. We saw Carolina play its best game of the series and got a 3-0 victory in Game 4. The Hurricanes put together a complete game and forced the series back to the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
However, Florida is still in control of the series and can book its third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance with its next victory. The Panthers know they can get some much-needed rest if they close out the series.
Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines going into this possibly series-ending Game 5 in this round of NHL predictions.
It seemed like Florida would have an easy time after dominating the first three games of the series. However, Carolina limited mistakes and was able to finally get on the board. Despite this, the Panthers are still in great position to get another Prince of Wales Trophy.
Sergei Bobrovsky is still the team’s starter and has been good in the post-season more often than not. Bobrovsky already has three shutouts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and can put together another great performance.
Aleksander Barkov leads the team in points with 15 this post-season for Florida. However, 10 players have more than 10 points. Depth gives the Panthers the edge in the series and possibly in the rest of the post-season.
Carolina finally ended its 15-game Eastern Conference Final losing streak. Frederik Andersen made 20 saves and looked like the goalie that befuddled the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals. The Dane looked refreshed after sitting out Game 3.
Carolina’s defensive unit was also very stingy. Turnovers have been a problem in this series, but the Hurricanes took better care of the puck in their own end of the ice.
Seth Jarvis leads a very top-heavy lineup with 14 points while Sebastian Aho is next with 13. Carolina will need others to step in if it wants to force a Game 6.
The Hurricanes are looking to build off momentum, but no there’s no tomorrow if they don’t win. Florida is very good at making adjustments and have only lost back-to-back games at the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs series.
The Panthers should take care of business and book another trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under is 5.5 and we think the under hits in this one.
As for individual props, go with Brad Marchand to get an assist in this one for the Panthers. On the Hurricanes, side of things, take Jarvis to get the over of 0.5 on power-play points.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Longtime sportswriter for the Watertown Daily Times. I have covered minor league and NCAA hockey in women’s Division I and men’s Division III. Also produce the nationally-syndicated Spadora on Sports radio show.
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