Hurricanes vs Panthers Odds: Who Is Favored To Win?
The Hurricanes are favored to win when the games are in Carolina, while the Panthers are favored when the games are in Sunrise. That was not the case in the 2025 Eastern Conference Final, as the Panthers flipped the switch.
The over-under of 6 goals is considered on the high end for a typical NHL game. Both teams have good, young, talented offenses, so it makes sense that the over-under is higher than usual. The moneyline odds are close to a toss-up, so it should be a very closely contested game. At least, that's what the oddsmakers think.
February 2026 Hurricanes vs. Panthers: What The Spread Tells Us
Both teams entered the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a second-place finish, and both won their Best-of-7 First Round and Second Round Series matchups.
For every NHL game, there is a spread (or what's called the "puck line") of 1.5 goals. In some games, if a team is a prohibitive favorite, there can be a 2-goal spread. The team that is favored more on the moneyline will also have better odds on the spread.
Very, very rarely does the spread ever move beyond the standard 1.5 goals, as hockey games are typically close. It's important to note that many hockey bettors prefer to bet on the spread because the payouts on successful wagers are bigger.
Also, many one-goal leads for teams in the final two minutes turn into two-goal leads, because the losing team always pulls their goalie to have an extra attacker. But, odds are, the team with the one-goal lead will score the "empty-netter" to seal the victory and make the people who bet on that team to cover the spread very happy.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers: What The Moneyline Tells Us
The moneyline for NHL games typically doesn't move around much once the sportsbooks set it. But savvy fans know to keep an eye on any personnel changes that happen on the day of the game, including lineup changes and injuries.
Those are things that can affect the moneyline, and savvy bettors know to get their moneyline bets in quickly if sudden personnel changes haven't been noticed yet by the sportsbooks.
Carolina Hurricanes Chances To Win vs Florida Panthers
Most regular-season games between these teams are usually close, and that is generally reflected on the moneyline. You can see this reflected in the Panthers and Hurricanes chances to win the Stanley Cup playoffs. This season has seen something a little different, as the Canes have better odds (+700) than the Panthers (+1200).
How Carolina Hurricanes Win vs. Florida Panthers
- 📈 Hurricanes Strengths: Speed, shots on goal, scoring, discipline
- 📉 Hurricanes Weaknesses: Powerplay, Penalty Kill
Carolina’s speed, shot volume, and scoring balance are key to cracking the Panthers’ defense. With dynamic forwards like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Seth Jarvis creating pressure up ice and generating high-quality chances, Carolina can overwhelm Florida with pace and shots on goal, forcing turnovers and tiring out the Panthers’ defenders. Aho’s playmaking and finishing, Svechnikov’s power and net-front presence, and Ehlers’ elite skating give Carolina multiple threats at 5-on-5, while contributors like Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall can chip in timely goals, keeping the pressure on Florida’s goaltending. Controlling the neutral zone and converting sustained shot attempts into goals will allow Carolina to take and maintain the lead, especially when they dominate possession in the offensive zone.
To win, Carolina must also lean on discipline and smart defense to neutralize Florida’s secondary scoring and protect their goaltender—especially with Carolina’s special teams lagging behind their even-strength game. The Hurricanes’ penalty kill and disciplined five-on-five play help mitigate risks when Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, and Anton Lundell try to jumpstart the Panthers’ attack. Winning puck battles, limiting costly penalties, and keeping Florida off the power play will force the Panthers to rely on even-strength goals rather than special teams. If Carolina can stay out of the box and capitalize on their transition game while tightening up their own defensive zone coverage, they’ll give themselves the best chance to come out on top.
How Panthers Win vs Hurricanes
- 📈 Panthers Strengths: Forwards, Penalty Kill, Defense,
- 📉 Panthers Weaknesses: Taking Penalties, Power Play
With Aleksander Barkov sidelined until April and Matthew Tkachuk not guaranteed to play, the Panthers must rely on forward depth, structure, and defense rather than star power to beat Carolina. Sam Reinhart becomes the offensive driver, tasked with leading the top line and finishing chances off the rush, while Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett provide speed, forechecking, and physicality to disrupt Carolina’s breakout. Anton Lundell takes on an expanded two-way role, likely matching up against Sebastian Aho’s line, while veterans like Evan Rodrigues and Nick Cousins are counted on to win puck battles and generate offense by committee. Florida’s ability to clog the neutral zone and limit Carolina’s transition game will be critical, especially against a Hurricanes team that thrives on speed and shot volume.
Defensively, Florida’s strength still lies in its penalty kill and blue line, even with offensive stars missing. Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad anchor a defense focused on tight gaps, shot suppression, and clearing rebounds, forcing Carolina to shoot from the outside. With the Panthers prone to taking penalties and owning a below-average power play, discipline is essential—Florida cannot afford to trade chances or rely on special teams to win. Their aggressive penalty kill, led by Lundell and Reinhart, must negate Carolina’s power play while maintaining momentum at even strength. If Florida stays out of the box, leans on defensive structure, and gets timely scoring from its middle six, the Panthers can grind down the Hurricanes and steal a win despite key absences.
Latest Panthers vs Hurricanes Updates February 2026
- 📅 Jan 16, 2026: The Hurricanes demolish the Panthers 9-1, displaying their strength in a blowout win.
- 📅 Dec 23, 2025: The Panthers rally again, this time from a 2-0 deficit, to knock off the Hurricanes 5-2.
- 📅 Dec 19, 2025: The Panthers rally from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Hurricanes 4-3 in a shootout at home to snag the first win of the season series.
- 📅 May 28, 2025: The Panthers defeat the Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5 to clinch their third straight Stanley Cup appearance, beating the Canes for the second time in three seasons.
- 📅 May 26, 2025: The Panthers explode in a flurry of goals in the third period, and destroy the Hurricanes 6-2 in Game 3, and are now one win away from making it to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season.
- 📅 May 22, 2025: The Panthers level the Canes, scoring early and often en route to a 5-0 win.
- 📅 May 20, 2025: The Panthers unleash the claws, taming the Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 1.
- 📅 May 18, 2025: The Panthers thrash the Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 from the Scotiabank Center, advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for another showdown with the Hurricanes.
- 📅 May 14, 2025: Hurricanes defeat the Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 to advance to the Eastern Conference Final. Now, they await the winner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers
- 📅 May 5, 2025: Panthers and Hurricanes both are in the Second Round, needing to get past the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals, respectively, to secure a showdown in the Eastern Conference Final.
- 📅 Mar. 7, 2025: Panthers acquire Brad Marchand in a trade with the Boston Bruins.
- 📅 Mar. 7, 2025: Hurricanes trade Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankovic, a 2026 1st round pick, a 2026 3rd round pick, a 2027 3rd round pick, and a conditional 2028 1st round pick.
- 📅 Mar. 1, 2025: Panthers acquire Seth Jones in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
- 📅 Jan. 25, 2025: Hurricanes trade Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Mikko Rantanen.
- 📅 Jan. 4, 2024: Canes forward Sebastian Aho and Panthers center Sam Reinhart are named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.
- 📅 Dec. 15, 2023: The Hurricanes announce Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina as their in-state betting partner.
Carolina Hurricanes Coaches & Top Team Players
Carolina is coached by Rod "The Bod" Brind'Amour, who has been at the helm since 2018.
The Hurricanes' top players include Sebastian Aho, Jesper Kotkaniemi, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Logan Stankovic, Seth Jarvis, and Jordan Staal.
Aho has the ability to score 50 goals, while Slavin is a terrific two-way defender, and his partner, 40-year-old Burns, is as tough and savvy as they come.
Florida Panthers Coaches & Top Team Players
Florida's head coach is Paul Maurice, a veteran coach who coached the Hurricanes for several years previously. He took the team to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final before losing to Detroit.
Florida's top player is Matthew Tkachuk. Sam Reinhart had another good season and continues to make his presence felt in the playoffs. Veteran Aleksander Barkov is another top Panthers forward. Seth Jones got the scoring going in Game 7, and is one of the most dangerous weapons in the playoffs.
Defensively, Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling are the best defenders.
How to Watch Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers Game
You can watch any Hurricanes-Panthers regular-season game on FanDuel Sports Florida and FanDuel Sports Network South. Any potential playoff game between the teams will be on TNT or ESPN.
2025-26 Hurricanes vs Panthers Predictions & Rankings
The Hurricanes are currently near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, while the Panthers are starting to pick themselves up after a slow start.
Betting on Hurricanes vs Panthers
Sports betting has been legalized in North Carolina and online operators have been live since March 11, 2024. You can bet at top online North Carolina sportsbook apps such as DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, BetMGM and others.
Until then, you can place a bet at any of the three retail North Carolina sportsbooks located at tribal casinos:
- 📍 Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC
- 📍 Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy, NC
- 📍 Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, NC
A History of the Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers Rivalry
A burgeoning rivalry is developing between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, as the two teams met a couple of seasons ago in the Eastern Conference Final. The Panthers shocked everybody by winning in a four-game sweep, and while they didn't sweep the Canes last season, they still beat them again.
Previously, there wasn't much of a rivalry, as the Panthers were a bad team for many seasons, but they have made back-to-back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup, winning the title the last two seasons.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Records
Carolina is 74-62-11-11 all-time against Florida.
| NHL Playoffs | Hurricanes | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Conf. Champ. Wins | 2 | 3 |
| Stanley Cup Wins | 1 | 1 |
Top 5 Games Between Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes
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May 18, 2023 Florida wins Game 1 of Eastern Conference Final over Carolina, 4-3 in four overtimes. It was the longest game in Carolina history. -
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May 20, 2023 Florida stuns Carolina in Game 2 of ECF with a 2-1 win in Raleigh. -
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May 22, 2023 Florida take a 3-0 series lead on Carolina with a 1-0 victory. -
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May 24, 2023 Florida pulls off the sweep of Carolina in ECF with a 4-3 victory. Every game in the series is decided by one goal. -
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April 13, 2023 Florida loses 6-4 to Carolina, but still manages to squeak into the Eastern Conference playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers Game FAQs
The Hurricanes are favored in their matchup on Friday, as the game is taking place live from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the Canes looking to get at least one regular-season win over their rivals to the south.
Yes, the Carolina Hurricanes have beaten Florida 75 times in the regular season in their team history. Carolina is 76-61-11-11 against the Florida Panthers. Carolina lost to Florida in four games in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final and in five games in the 2025 Eastern Conference Final.
The next game between the Hurricanes and Panthers will be in the 2026-27 season, unless the teams meet in the playoffs. The earliest they could likely face off would be in the First Round, as the Panthers currently trail the final wildcard spot by four points while the Hurricanes lead their division.
You can watch any regular-season game on ESPN+. You can also watch locally in North Carolina and Florida on each state's respective Bally Sports regional networks. Future matchups haven't been assigned broadcast times yet. If the teams meet in the playoffs, the games will likely be broadcast on ABC or TNT.
Author
Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.
