The Carolina Hurricanes will be facing the Florida Panthers in the first game of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday. The Hurricanes advanced by defeating the Washington Capitals, while the Panthers completed their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a decisive 6-1 victory. The match will kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

Betting Odds

Carolina is favored at -125 (bet $125 to win $100), while Florida is pegged as an underdog at +105 (risk $100 to win $105). The total goals scored is projected at 5.5, and the Hurricanes are also +205 for being 1.5-goal favorites on the puck line. Before betting on this match, consider the predictions from SportsLine’s advanced model.

Predictions

The model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, and it enters the finals with an impressive 80-56 record for top-rated NHL puck-line and over/under picks, yielding over $1,600 in returns for $100 bettors.

Best Bets for Tuesday:

• Hurricanes ML (-125)
• Over 5.5 goals (+110)

Game Analysis

Carolina has a strong home record in these playoffs, winning four out of five games at PNC Arena by at least two goals. Their head coach, Rod Brind-Amour, has had extra rest after their earlier series. In contrast, the Panthers will be working off a two-day break after a grueling Game 7 against Toronto.

The SportsLine model predicts a greater than 50% chance for Carolina to win on the money line.

For the total score, the over has hit for both teams recently, making bets on 5.5 goals at +110 appealing. Get the latest DraftKings promo code for those looking to place bets on this match.