Two of the NHL’s highest volume shooting teams are set to square off at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday, as the Carolina Hurricanes (8-3-1) are on the road to take on the Florida Panthers (7-5-1).Carolina is coming off a 3-1 loss against the Maple Leafs on Sunday, ending a four-game winning streak.
The Hurricanes committed only one penalty in the game, holding Toronto without a power play goal. Stefan Noesen was the only player to find the net for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen only had 18 saves on 21 shots against (.857%) in the loss.
Florida is returning home for a six-game homestand after an exciting 5-3 win over the Ducks on Sunday. Sam Reinhart was the leading goal scorer for the Panthers, netting twice. Brandon Montour had a goal and three assists to lead the team in scoring. Spencer Knight saved 32 of 35 shots.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Panthers won all three games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their final meeting in February, their fourth straight win against Carolina. Aleksander Barkov (1G 1A), Aaron Ekblad (1G 1A), and Jonathan Huberdeau (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Florida.
Tony DeAngelo and Teuvo Teravainen were on the scoresheet for Carolina. Sergei Bobrovsky got the win despite allowing two goals on 18 shots (.888%).
FACING OFF
Carolina is averaging 3.08 goals per game for the season, 18th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.23 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.23 times a game on average, 15th in the league, and the Hurricanes are allowing opponents to score 2.83 goals per game (10th).
Both teams average more shots per game than most teams in the league. Florida’s 39.7 average ranks first, while Carolina ranks No. 3 with 37.0 shots. When it comes to shot-stopping, the Panthers have been more successful, stopping .899% of shots as a team (21st), while the Hurricanes have a team save percentage of .895% (22nd).
Don’t be surprised to see a few power play opportunities for the Hurricanes, as the Panthers have been penalized 5.08 times a game, third-most in the NHL, for an average of 11.08 minutes (ninth-highest). The visitors are averaging 4.25 penalties (18th) and 8.75 penalty minutes a game (21st).
The Panthers’ 12.96% power play percentage is the third-worst in the league, while the Hurricanes rank 24th with a conversion rate of 19.15%. In terms of penalty killing, Carolina has the league’s 16th-ranked PK% at 77.78%, while Florida is 26th at 73.47%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 17 points this season, eighth-most in the NHL, Martin Necas is the top skater for the Hurricanes. He has seven goals and 10 assists in 12 games. In the net, Antti Raanta (3-0-1) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.42 GAA and a .905% save percentage. Andersen (5-2-0) leads the Hurricanes in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.66 and a save percentage of .894%. Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 17 points (9th in the league).
He has five goals and 12 assists (5th). Knight (3-1-0) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.53. He has a save percentage of .899%. Bobrovsky (3-4-1) has played the most games in net for the Panthers this season. He has a 3.28 GAA and a .897% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Carolina has won three in a row away from PNC Arena this season. Florida has yet to suffer defeat at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Florida Panthers (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
