The NHL action is slowing down a bit with four games scheduled for Friday, December 30, and here you can take a look at the best Panthers vs. Hurricanes betting pick and odds.

Carolina is looking for the tenth win in a row when they host Florida at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes are -182 moneyline favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6 goals. These conference rivals have faced once this year, and the Panthers won that game 3-0 in Florida.

Panthers couldn’t do much against the Islanders

The Florida Panthers (15-16-3-1, 11-24 ATS) suffered the third consecutive defeat as they were blown away 5-1 by the New York Islanders on the road. The Panthers spent three of the previous four games on the road, but they’ll return home to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, after which they’ll travel to Carolina to take on the Canes in the second of a back-to-back.

Florida actually took a 1-0 lead against the Isles through Matthew Tkachuk in the opening period, but New York responded with five goals and deservedly secured a big W. The Islanders had 43 shots opposite the Panthers’ 23. Tkachuk is Florida’s MVP thus far in the season as he leads the team with 40 points (G 15, A 25). Carter Verhaeghe has 28 (G 17, A 11) and Brandon Montour is following him with 27 points (G 6, A 21).

Spencer Knight (8-5-3) is likely going to take his place between the sticks against the Hurricanes on Friday. The 21-year-old is allowing 2.93 goals per game this year with a .909 SV% and one shutout.

RW Patric Hornqvist (concussion), LW Anthony Duclair (Achilles), and C Chris Tierney (concussion) are out indefinitely.

Hurricanes continue to impress

The Carolina Hurricanes (23-6-6-0, 15-20 ATS) are still the hottest team in the NHL as they registered nine consecutive victories. They kept the net intact in three of their nine straight wins, including the most recent one against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring three on the other end. Carolina climbed up to the 2nd position in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Bruins. The Hurricanes will conclude their three-game homestay with this game against Florida.

Martin Necas, Jesper Fast, and Jordan Martinook scored for the Canes, while Antti Raanta secured his first shutout of the campaign as he collected 21 saves and kept the Blackhawks off the scoreboard. Necas is Carolina’s top point producer this year with 34 (G 15, A 19). Andrei Svechnikov contributed 31 (G 18, A 13), while Sebastian Aho has 27 points (G 11, A 16).

Pyotr Kochetkov (10-1-4) is expected to start at the goal against the Panthers on Friday. The 23-year-old is surrendering 1.93 goals per contest this season along with a .928 SV% and three shutouts.

RW Ondrej Kase (concussion), G Frederik Andersen (lower body), and LW Max Pacioretty (Achilles) are out indefinitely and will not play on Friday against the Panthers.

Trends:

Florida:

  • 1-4 in the last five overall
  • 1-4 in the last five road games
  • 1-6 in the last seven games playing without rest

Carolina:

  • 13-3 in the last 16 overall
  • 7-0 in the last seven vs. Eastern Conference rivals

Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Pick  

The Panthers will be playing the second of a back-to-back and they are not handling this type of situation very well, so I am backing the canes to get an easy win. Carolina is red-hit at the moment while the Panthers are not playing well. Also, Florida beat Carolina 3-0 earlier this season, so I am sure the Canes will have that in mind when they welcome the Panthers on Friday. The Panthers’ defense is not even in the top 20 in the NHL as it allows 3.40 goals per game. On the other hand, Carolina’s D is the third-best in the league as it surrenders 2.54 gpg.

Pick: Take the Hurricanes at -1.5 Puck Line (+105)

The Total

Spencer Knight conceded ten goals in his last two starts, while the Panthers allowed 16 goals in their previous three games. Considering how the Canes are playing right now, I am backing the hosts to score 4+ goals without problems here. Florida managed to score at least two in six of the last seven games, and I am going with the visitors to score a minimum of two in this one. Over is 4-0 in the Panthers’ last four games playing without rest, while Over is 8-3-2 in Florida’s previous 13 road games.

Pick: Go Over 6 goals (-110)