The Florida Panthers don't have much time to reset for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, but they're not looking for any excuses. It's the old rest vs. rust conversation. Can the home team prevail after having four days off?
The Hurricanes seek revenge after being swept by the Panthers in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. This time around, Carolina feels like a better matchup than they were two years ago. Let's dive into this series as we seek out goal scorers in Game 1 with my May 20 NHL prop picks.
NHL anytime goalscorer picks for Panthers vs Hurricanes Game 1
Seth Jarvis (+210)- Andrei Svechnikov (+220)
Brad Marchand (+333)
Panthers vs Hurricanes anytime goalscorer props for tonight
Seth Jarvis (+210 at Sports Interaction)
Seth Jarvis has been bumped up to the top line for the Carolina Hurricanes and is now playing alongside Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho. Jarvis is currently tied with Aho for the team lead in points (10) in 10 games, and he has scored four goals through those 10 contests.
That said, Jarvis has scored in back-to-back games and is currently riding a four-game point streak. He's starting to heat up at the right time. Jarvis touches every part of the Hurricanes game, he plays top minutes, first power play, penalty kill, 6-on-5, and 5-on-6. Rod Brind'Amour has a lot of faith in him, and this series has the potential to be a massive breakout moment for him.
Jarvis is one of the most important players on this roster and has been firing pucks on goal this postseason. Hopefully, one of those can go in.
Andrei Svechnikov (+220 at Sports Interaction)
What an unbelievable postseason Andrei Svechnikov is having for Carolina. Not only does he lead the team with eight goals in 10 games, but he is second in the entire NHL, only one goal behind Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars. Svechnikov's game translates so well to the style of play in the postseason, and his team is going to rely on him to continue carrying them offensively if they want to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Svechnikov enters Game 1 on a three-game scoring streak and has shown zero signs of slowing down in these playoffs. To me, the Canes have the total edge in Game 1, simply because the Panthers played in a Game 7 just two nights ago, while the Canes are undefeated on home ice in the playoffs, going a perfect 5-0.
Svechnikov leads the Hurricanes with 35 shots on goal through 10 games and has nine more than the next guy on the team (Jarvis 26). Carolina's offense has run through him and I expect that to continue tonight.
Brad Marchand (+333 at Sports Interaction)
Brad Marchand was far and away the best player for both teams in the second round between the Florida Panthers and Maple Leafs. Marchand had three points in Game 7, including the empty net goal that sent the fans home frustrated and angry. Marchand is tied for the team lead with 12 points in 12 games alongside his linemate Eetu Luostarinen. The third line for the Panthers has been their most consistent offensive line, and based on the matchups, this line should be dominant yet again.
Marchand has been a playoff performer his entire career, with 150 points in 169 career games in the postseason. He's only scored three goals in this postseason, but something about the way that Marchand has played through these playoffs makes you think that he will have a big impact not only on this game tonight, but the rest of the way if the Panthers keep rolling.
Marchand is skating to a +0.92 expected goals per 60 minutes.
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