Florida vs. Carolina: NHL Match Prediction
On January 3, Florida will host the third game between the local "cats" and the "hurricanes" from Raleigh this season. The first two meetings ended with confident victories for Paul Maurice team in regulation time. The "Panthers" did not start the home series in the best way, but gradually came to their senses and defeated the "rangers" in the last match of the year. Who will win this time? We will tell you about this in the forecast for the match

Command Analysis

Florida Panthers

Current form
Florida lacks stability during the current regular season, but nevertheless, Paul Maurice team is in fourth place in the conference standings. The Panthers have earned 48 points in 37 starts, but they can easily overtake Toronto and return to the top three in the near future. Before the Christmas break, Paul Maurice men won at home against St. Louis (2:1, OT), and then were stronger than Tampa (4:2) at home. Aleksander Barkov team was routed by the Lightning in the first game of the home series (0:4) and could not score against Montreal (0:4), returning after the holiday, but in the last game of the year they beat the Rangers big time (5:3). The hosts had a strong start and finished off their opponents at the end.
The "Cats" lack consistency in their attack. In their last nine games, they have failed to score a single goal four times, while in the previous six games they have scored 16 accurate shots. Sam Reinhart remains the Panthers' leading scorer with 45 points (22+23) in the "goal+assist" system. At the moment, the forward ranks 13th in the league list of the most productive hockey players.
In the second half of December, the club from the state of the same name has not been performing well on its half of the court and in general cannot boast of reliable play during this season. Sergei Bobrovsky has reflected only 89.65% of shots on his own territory and made only one shutout in 25 games.
Disqualifications and injuries
All of the home team leaders will play against Carolina.
Interesting trends for betting
- Florida averages 3.45 goals per game
The Panthers have been showing a productive attack this season, and in recent matches they have greatly improved their scoring.
- The Panthers are blocking 16 shots per game.
The hosts regularly help their goalies, but this does not always save the team from conceding goals.

Carolina Hurricanes

Current form
Carolina continues to fight for a place in the top three in the East, although just recently the team from Raleigh was in first place in the conference. Rod Brin'D'Amour charges scored 48 points in 38 starts and could well overtake Toronto and Florida in the standings, which are only two points ahead. Jordan Staal team could not boast of strong results at the beginning of winter and did not finish the calendar year in the best way. The Hurricanes lost four of the previous six matches and looked weak on the road. The Hurricanes lost in Nashville (2:5) and Newark (2:4), won against New Jersey at home (5:2), and began the new year with a defeat in Ohio against Columbus (3:4, B). The visitors were in the lead after the second period, but still did not achieve the desired result.
In the last four games, Carolina has allowed 14 goals and has played poorly in its own half of the ice. Petr Kochetkov remains the Canes' starting goalie, but he has stopped only 89.93% of shots. The team second goalie is Dustin Tokarski, who was signed during the current season. The Canadian has played three games in the regular season and stopped 90.67% of attacks.
Martin Necas was the league leading scorer, but he currently sits in 14th place. The Czech forward has 45 points (14+31) in goals and assists, but he is not in the best shape right now. The forward has only scored one point in his last seven games.
Disqualifications and injuries
Frederik Andersen, Jesper Fasth, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jack Drury will not play in Florida. Tyson Jost is questionable.
Interesting trends for betting
- Carolina averages 3.46 goals per game
The Hurricanes have shown a strong level of attacking play since the very start of the season.
- The Hurricanes average 6.97 penalty minutes per game.
Guests are sent off more than three times on average per game.
Trends
Bet 1st period: total over 1.5 goals
In two of the three games involving Carolina, the first period was productive
1.75Bet 3rd period: Florida will score
The Panthers have scored in the third period against Carolina in two games this season.
1.48Tip and bets
Florida pulled itself together after two unpleasant defeats and rushed into attack from the first seconds of the last match. The Panthers are playing at full strength and should show results here and now. Carolina, on the other hand, cannot boast of a strong defense and played rather poorly on the road in December. The teams have met each other twice this season and both games were won by the Panthers. We think that the hosts are in better shape and should not lose to the Hurricanes in the first game of the new year. We offer a bet on the victory of the hosts.
Our prediction is Florida victory in the match at 1.77
Bet on individual total
The Panthers have scored 16 goals in their last six games and have taken advantage of their opportunities well. They will look to extend their home winning streak and make up for lost time early in the home series. Carolina has been weak on the road defensively and has been giving up a lot of goals, and Petr Kochetkov hasn't been able to save his teammates.
Forecast - Florida individual total over 2.5 goals for 1.60
Bet on total
The last games involving the "hurricanes" turned out to be extremely productive. Meetings between the opponents are usually very bright and rarely boring. We think that both teams will open up, that each of them needs a victory from a psychological point of view. We expect at least six accurate shots from the hockey players. We will play a bet on the total over goals.
Forecast - total over 5.5 goals for 1.75