The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers tonight in the opening matchup of the Eastern Conference Final.
I have compiled my three best Panthers vs. Hurricanes props for Game 1. As always, monitor the odds and available pricing, as the NHL player props market is constantly changing.
Here are my free NHL picks in the player prop market for Tuesday, May 20.
Best Panthers vs Hurricanes props
Svechnikov o2.5 SOG (-140)
Bennett u2.5 SOG (-135)- Marchand u1.5 SOG (-118)
Panthers vs Hurricanes player props for May 20
Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 shots on goal (-140 at Sports Interaction)
All three of these prop plays are slightly correlated, although I am playing each of them straight. For the game script, I expect the Carolina Hurricanes to dominate possession and, therefore, record more shots on goal than the Florida Panthers.
That has been the theme all postseason. The Canes boast an average margin of +9.3 shots on goal per game over their opponents.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are averaging +5.08 shots on goal per game over their opponents this postseason.
If this trend continues, Andrei Svechnikov will likely play a large part. He has recorded three or more shots on goal in each of the past three games and leads all Carolina skaters in that category this postseason.
Sam Bennett Under 2.5 shots on goal (-135 at Sports Interaction)
Sticking with the same game script, if the Hurricanes spend more time in the offensive zone and control play, then the Panthers will likely record fewer shots as a result. I am fading two of their scrappier players in this category, starting with Sam Bennett.
He has recorded two or fewer shots on goal in five of his past six games and is averaging just 1.8 per game over that stretch.
Additionally, in his latest appearance against Carolina, Bennett recorded just one shot on goal.
Brad Marchand Under 1.5 shots on goal (-118 at Sports Interaction)
The other Florida skater to fade in this market is Brad Marchand. Now is the time to sell high after his monster performance in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It was a big game for the former Boston Bruin, who scored one goal and added two assists while recording three shots on goal. However, one of those three shots came on a cross-ice empty-net goal.
Prior to that, Marchand had recorded one or fewer shots on goal in seven of his previous eight playoff games. He averaged just 0.8 shots per game over that stretch.
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