Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions January 2nd 2025

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes January 2nd 2025

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Hurricanes versus the Panthers? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. The over/under for this game is set at 6 goals, and the Panthers are the -1.5 goal favorites against the Hurricanes in a Eastern conference matchup.

Carolina vs. Florida Key Information

• Teams: Hurricanes at Panthers
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena Sunrise
• Date: Thursday, January 2nd
• Betting Odds FLA -125 | CAR +106 O/U 6

The Hurricanes Can Win If…

With a 4-2 win over the Capitals, the Hurricanes moved to 22-14-2 this season. Carolina covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

Carolina scored the first goal, but the Capitals responded with two goals in the first period. The Hurricanes then scored three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter, to secure the win.

Carolina’s offense fired 45 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over Washington. Dmitry Orlov led the way with two goals, bringing his season total to three. Martin Necas added his sixth goal of the season and picked up two assists, giving him 12 assists this year.

Andrei Svechnikov netted his sixth goal on an empty net with just nine seconds left in the game. The Hurricanes scored once in the first period, twice in the second, and capped off their scoring with Svechnikov’s empty-netter in the third.

Defensively, the Hurricanes will look to build on their last performance, where they gave up two goals on 21 shots from the Capitals. Pyotr Kochetkov finished with 19 saves and a 90.5% save percentage. Carolina’s defense also recorded 7 takeaways, 10 hits, and 11 blocks.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Hurricanes have gone 1-2 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 3-0 over-under mark.
• Carolina has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Panthers Can Win If…

Florida improved to 23-13-2 with a 4-2 road win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, with the teams combining for 6 goals.

Four different players scored for the Panthers, who led 2-0 before the Stars tied it up. A.J. Greer put Florida ahead for good with a goal in the third period, and Sam Reinhart added an empty-netter to seal the victory.

In their 4-2 win over the Stars, the Panthers had 16 giveaways but managed to score four times, including an empty-netter by Sam Reinhart, his 10th goal of the season. A.J. Greer also found the net for the first time this year, with Tomás Nosek earning his first assist.

Carolina took 25 shots on goal and scored once on the power play. Each of their four goals came from a different player, with the Panthers scoring once in the first period, once in the second, and twice in the third.

After giving up two goals in the second period, Florida’s defense shut down the Stars in the third, helping the Panthers to a 4-2 victory. Spencer Knight finished with 23 saves and a 92% save percentage, while the defense recorded 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Panthers have gone 1-2 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 1-2 over-under mark.
• The Panthers have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. Their record vs the puck line sits at 4-6 in these matchups, while posting a 3-7 over-under mark.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Panthers to secure a victory over the Hurricanes at home. With the moneyline currently set at -125, I’m locking in my bet on the Panthers straight-up.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Hurricanes to cover. Even if the Panthers secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Hurricanes should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Hurricanes’ Road Woes in Focus Heading to Game Against Panthers

The Carolina Hurricanes face a daunting task Thursday night as they visit the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. Amid a tough stretch of games, the Hurricanes are determined to address their road struggles and set the tone for a successful start to 2025.

Hurricanes’ Road Struggles a Key Concern

Carolina (19-14-6) has struggled away from home, posting just one win in its last nine road games (1-6-2). Their latest setback, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, epitomized their recent frustrations.

“We have to figure out what’s going on with our road games,” forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi said. “It’s been happening for a while. We have to find a way out of it and have the same mindset as we do for home games.”

The Hurricanes have shown flashes of promise, including strong performances from Jack Roslovic, who has scored three goals in his last two games. Still, the team’s defensive lapses and inconsistency on the road have cost them valuable points.

Panthers’ Confidence Remains High

Florida (21-12-3) enters the game with momentum after defeating the New York Rangers 5-3 on Monday. The Panthers are well-rested and ready to continue their strong play, which has been bolstered by the stellar performances of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

“He has been very, very good,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said of Bobrovsky, who has shined in recent starts.

The Panthers are thriving on fast starts, scoring within the first five minutes of games 12 times this season. That early pressure could spell trouble for a Carolina team still looking to stabilize its defensive structure.

Recent Matchups Favor Florida

The Panthers hold a psychological edge over the Hurricanes, having won both matchups in late November. Florida scored a combined 12 goals across a 6-3 road win and a dominant 6-0 home shutout.

“We were really bad the last two games against them,” Kotkaniemi admitted. “We need to fix that.”

Those lopsided losses have lingered in the minds of the Hurricanes, who are determined to exact revenge.

Players to Watch

Carolina Hurricanes

• Jack Roslovic: Riding a hot streak, Roslovic’s recent goal-scoring surge has been a bright spot for the Hurricanes.
• Jesperi Kotkaniemi: A vocal leader aiming to rally his team past their road woes.
• Frederik Andersen: Likely to start in goal, Andersen will need a strong performance to neutralize Florida’s quick-strike offense.

Florida Panthers

• Sergei Bobrovsky: The veteran goalie has been a rock for Florida, providing confidence in net.
• Niko Mikkola: Expected to return from injury, the defenseman has been a critical part of the Panthers’ backline.
• Matthew Tkachuk: Florida’s offensive engine, capable of changing the game with his dynamic play.

Who’s taking the top spot? Dive into NHL Metropolitan Division Odds & Predictions!

Keys to the Game

For Carolina

• Tighten defensive coverage, especially in the opening minutes.
• Capitalize on scoring chances, particularly from Roslovic’s productive line.
• Stay disciplined and avoid turnovers that can lead to Florida’s counterattacks.

For Florida

• Continue fast starts to put Carolina on its heels early.
• Leverage Bobrovsky’s stellar form to shut down Carolina’s offensive threats.
• Maintain physical dominance, especially in the neutral zone, to disrupt the Hurricanes’ flow.