The Carolina Hurricanes are aiming to keep their playoff hopes alive as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night. After securing a crucial 3-0 win in Game 4 to avoid elimination, the Hurricanes still trail the series 3-1. The game will take place at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, starting at 8 p.m.
Currently, the Florida Panthers are slight favorites with a money line of -118. The betting over/under for total goals is set at 5.5, with the Panthers favored by 1.5 goals on the puck line. Sportsline’s advanced prediction models, which have simulated NHL games 10,000 times, suggest backing the Hurricanes +1.5 on the puck line and the total goals over 5.5 for Game 5. Carolina has a strong home puck line record this postseason, and goalie Frederik Andersen’s recent shutout performance in Game 4 shows his regained form.
The over on total goals has hit twice in this series, and Florida’s goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has seen overs in three out of his last five playoff starts. For those placing bets, BetMGM offers a promo code with a bonus bet of up to $1,500 for new users. Sportsline’s top NHL expert, Matt Severance, has an impressive record and will provide his best bets for Wednesday’s game.
Fan Take: This matchup is pivotal for Carolina’s playoff survival and showcases the intense competitiveness of the NHL Conference Finals. Fans should watch closely as these games not only decide who advances but also highlight standout goaltending and high-stakes strategy, essential elements that make hockey thrilling to watch.
