Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Prediction, Odds & Starting Goalies (May. 24)

By Brady Trettenero in NHL Hockey
Published:

- The Carolina Hurricanes are +122 road underdogs against the Florida Panthers in Game 3 on Saturday
- Carolina dropped the first two games at home and was outscored 10-2 in the process
- Read below for Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 prediction, odds and goalie matchup
The Carolina Hurricanes face a daunting task as they head to Amerant Bank Arena for Game 3 on Saturday. After getting thoroughly dominated at home, the Canes find themselves trailing 2-0 to the defending Stanley Cup champions. They’ll need a complete turnaround to avoid falling into a virtually insurmountable 3-0 hole.
Florida is a -145 home favorite on the moneyline in the Game 3 Hurricanes vs Panthers odds. The total is set at 5.5 goals, with the under juiced at -125. Puck drop from Amerant Bank Arena is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET on TNT.
Let’s analyze the Game 3 Hurricanes vs Panthers odds and deliver our best bet for Saturday.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Prediction
- Pick: Under 5.5 Total Goals (-125 at Caesars)

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While the Panthers have lit up the scoreboard through two games, several factors point to a tighter, lower-scoring affair in Game 3. Sergei Bobrovsky has been absolutely locked in, allowing two or fewer goals in six straight playoff games, including a 17-save shutout in Game 2.
Carolina’s switch to backup Pyotr Kochetkov adds another wrinkle to the under play. The Russian netminder has posted just an .891 save percentage in limited playoff action, but his presence signals Rod Brind’Amour’s desperation to change the game’s dynamic. The Canes need to slow things down to have any chance.
The defensive numbers tell the story. Florida leads all playoff teams with just 2.21 goals against per game, and they held Carolina to a meager 17 shots in Game 2. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have mustered only two total goals in the series, with their power play clicking at a dismal 10% over their last three matchups against the Panthers.
Compounding matters for the over, Florida will be without Sam Reinhart, their 81-point regular season leader. His absence caps the Panthers’ offensive ceiling, even at home. The Panthers’ 88.9% penalty kill – best in the playoffs – further neutralizes Carolina’s already sputtering attack.
The under has cashed in two of Florida’s last three home games and both of Carolina’s recent road contests. With the total juiced to the under at -125, the market clearly expects a defensive battle. In a swing game where Carolina desperately needs to avoid a 3-0 deficit, expect a grind-it-out affair.
CAR vs FLA Series Stats
At -125 odds, there’s value in backing the under despite Florida’s offensive outburst so far. The Panthers have shown they can win with efficiency over volume, averaging just 22 shots per game in the series. With Bobrovsky in peak form and Carolina’s offense completely stifled, take the under and expect a tighter checking game.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Odds
The Panthers are -145 home favorites on the moneyline, translating to a 60.32% implied probability they take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Hurricanes are +122 underdogs, returning $126 for every $100 wagered if they steal one on the road.
On the puck line, Florida is +170 to win by 2+ goals, while Carolina is -205 to either win outright or keep it within a goal. The total of 5.5 goals is juiced to the under at -125, signaling that oddsmakers expect Saturday’s tilt to be lower-scoring than the first two games.

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Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook on May. 24. Check out Caesars rewards, or browse other sports betting apps for the NHL Playoffs.
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 3 Goalie Starters
Carolina Hurricanes: Pyotr Kochetkov (1-0, 2.57 GAA, .891 SV%)
Kochetkov gets the nod after Frederik Andersen’s struggles in the first two games. The 25-year-old Russian has made three playoff appearances with mixed results, posting an .891 save percentage. He won his only start against New Jersey, stopping 31 of 35 shots in the clinching victory.
Florida Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky (10-4, 2.13 GAA, .910 SV%)
Bobrovsky has been virtually impenetrable lately, stopping 64 of his last 67 shots faced. The veteran Russian netted his third shutout of the playoffs in Game 2, setting a franchise record for most in a single postseason. He’s now allowed two or fewer goals in six straight games and sits as the +370 second-favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
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Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.