The Florida Panthers ran over the Carolina Hurricanes in the series opener of the Eastern Conference Final, and the teams hit the ice again at the Lenovo Center for Game 2 on Thursday, May 22.
Here are my top NHL picks and Panthers vs. Hurricanes props for tonight's showdown in Raleigh.
Best Panthers vs Hurricanes props
Bobrovsky Over 26.5 saves (+100)
Burns Over 1.5 SOG (-120)- Tkachuk Under 0.5 points (+140)
Panthers vs Hurricanes player props for May 22
Sergei Bobrovsky Over 26.5 saves (+100 at Sports Interaction)
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to pile shots and attempts upon shots and attempts early and often night in, night out. Game 1 was more of the same with Florida Panthers star Sergei Bobrovsky turning away 31 of 33 shots, and Carolina finishing with 78 attempts.
Bobrovsky has also upped his play to the tune of a .952 save percentage and 1.21 GAA with 9.85 goals saved above expected across his past five games.
Of course, the Hurricanes have also averaged a monster 37.7 shots per home game during the postseason.
Brent Burns Over 1.5 shots on goal (-120 at Sports Interaction)
Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns has only recorded seven shots across his past six games despite registering 40 attempts — and four of the shots came at home in Game 3. The veteran defenseman also only converted one of his five attempts into shots in Tuesday's series opener against the Panthers.
Additionally, Burns finished the regular season in the 94th percentile of defensemen in shots on goal with 6.11 shots per 60 and has dipped to the 79th with 3.69 shots per 60 during the postseason despite his attempts per 60 minutes remaining similar. He’s posted 15.27 attempts per 60 in the playoffs compared to 16.13 during the regular season
I’m counting on Burns converting more attempts into shots in Game 2.
Matthew Tkachuk Under 0.5 points (+140 at Sports Interaction)
This is a fair number for Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk to miss the scoresheet in Game 2. He’s picked up just a single secondary assist across his past three postseason games and played primarily against the Canes' No. 1 line at 5-on-5 in Game 1.
I’m also expecting an improved defensive effort from Carolina on Thursday. The Hurricanes opened the playoffs with five straight wins on home ice while allowing just 1.6 goals per game and 1.39 per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, after all.
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