The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes don’t qualify as rivals because their games have been so lopsided. What is evident is the utter contempt each team has for the other.
The two franchises have met in the conference finals twice in the last three postseasons, and the results have been ugly for the Hurricanes: they have won once and lost eight times. The bad blood is palpable.
Tonight, Carolina visits its old tormentor. See why I like Florida to bully Carolina in my Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks for Friday, December 19.
Hurricanes vs Panthers prediction
Hurricanes vs Panthers best bet: Panthers moneyline (+110)
Since Rod Brind’Amour became the Carolina Hurricanes' head coach, the present roster is the most talented he has ever had.
Carolina has developed and acquired several undersized forwards who are fast and dynamic in Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankhoven, and Jackson Blake, adding complementary offense to Sebastian Aho and the nucleus.
But if the Florida Panthers can force the Hurricanes to play the game on their terms, it won’t matter. The Panthers rank at the top of the league in dump-in rate, and they will look to use their physical forecheck to sap Carolina’s speed.
Florida will try to create offense by winning puck battles along the walls and by forcing Carolina to box them out in the crease. It’s been a successful formula for the Panthers, and it’s unclear whether the Hurricanes can counter it.
The Hurricanes are the best team in the NHL at cycle chances against, but in recent games, there have been occasional defensive coverage mix-ups that have led to open players in the inner slot. Look for Florida to gin up confusion as its defensemen pinch and its forwards move high.
The Panthers and their goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, stumbled to start the season. But, like the team, Bobrovsky has found his footing, producing a 4.37 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) in December.
When Carolina comes to town, Florida finds it easy to rise to the occasion. Tonight will be no exception.
Hurricanes vs Panthers same-game parlay
With Panthers Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk injured, the silver lining is the ad-hoc creation of the Carter Verhaeghe-Sam Bennett-Brad Marchand line. Verhaeghe has fared well with his new buddies, especially of late, posting 11 points since the start of December.
On the season, Verhaeghe ranks second on the team in rebounds created at all strengths, and at 5-on-5, he is second in high-danger chances.
Because Florida is home and has the last line change, it will have the opportunity to move this line away from the Jordan Staal shutdown line. Verhaeghe is dangerous off the rush and forecheck, and I see him accruing at least one point.
Many adjectives could be used to describe Marchand, but bashful is not one of them. Marchand leads the Panthers in shots on goal and shot attempts, and I think he will look to test the Hurricanes’ goaltender should he get the slightest opening.
Marchand has been registering a point per game, making him almost certainly a lock for Team Canada in February. He has tallied four or more shots in a game 10 times this year, and on Friday, he will make it 11.
Hurricanes vs Panthers SGP
- Panthers moneyline
- Carter Verhaeghe Over 0.5 points
- Brad Marchand Over 3.5 shots on goal
Hurricanes vs Panthers odds
- Moneyline: Hurricanes -115 | Panthers -105
- Puck Line: Hurricanes +1.5 (-285) | Panthers -1.5 (+225)
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)
Hurricanes vs Panthers trend
The Florida Panthers have covered the 2P puck line in 30 of their last 49 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Panthers.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Panthers
| Location | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL |
| Date | Friday, December 19, 2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN South, SCRIPPS |
Hurricanes vs Panthers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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