The Stanley Cup Playoffs preach special teams, but there are a few interesting things to note as the scene shifts to South Florida for Game 3 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. Florida may be up two games to none, but the series is not quite over yet. There have been years past where a team looked demoralized after two home losses and bounced back.
What are some possible hockey bets to wager on for Game 3? Let us take a quick look.
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Maybe Getting Out Of Carolina Is Best
The Florida Panthers apparently enjoy the revolving pool or whatever it is. Florida has won multiple road games in both series so far (7-2 overall) and has outscored their opponents 43-18 away from home. Carolina gave up 10 goals in two games at Lenovo Center and four goals on the penalty kill. That cannot continue.
Carolina may want to take a page out of the Tampa Bay handbook. Florida won with ease in Tampa Bay twice and then came home on a Saturday. That did not go well as the Lightning won their only game of that series 5-1. Florida even scored first, but Tampa Bay took the game away and converted on chances despite low shot totals (Tampa had 21, Florida had 34).
Here is the problem. Can Frederik Andersen be that difference maker? The goaltender has allowed goals on 25% of the shots he has faced (see the 25% rule from John Tortorella). Rod Brind’Amour changed course early this afternoon, naming Pyotr Kochetkov the starter.
Florida has a weird, almost complacent pattern. Since last year, the Panthers have lost some very winnable games at home. This year, they dropped Game 3 to Tampa and Game 6 to Toronto. Circumstances were different, but the Panthers do have these “eggs” more often than most.
The questions are two-fold. With the move to Kotchetkov, does that move the needle against Florida? Can Florida make shots count? Giving a team something to believe in is important. All it takes is a bounce or a save. This may be the only time to go against the grain.
A Game 3 upset: Carolina Hurricanes moneyline (+130) via BetMGM and +185 in regulation.
Carolina Hurricanes Totals Of The Game And Player Variety
Alas, Carolina needs to score goals at some point. Two in two home contests were a disaster. Sportsbooks also think so, as the Over of 5.5 goals is now +110 via FanDuel.
Another good wager is the over of 2.5 Carolina goals, which is -110 at FanDuel. Carolina has scored 3+ goals in seven games this postseason, including the final three contests of the Washington-Carolina series. Florida has allowed 3+ goals four times. That has not happened against Game 3 versus Toronto, however.
Opportunities and scoring chances were almost even in Game 2. That was the most sobering aspect of the contest. Carolina’s best players must be better. A more risky bet could be the Sebastian Aho anytime goal, which is now up to +230. Carolina scoring three or more goals is a reasonable bet for now.
Best Bet: Carolina Hurricanes Over 2.5 goals (-110 at FanDuel).
Playing It Safe For Game 3?
The Dallas and Edmonton series bounced back predictably. Although the Edmonton shutout was unexpected, the Under was right there. Dallas is fascinated with playing 11-7 to a fault. That forwards-defensemen scheme has tired out some of their best players, including Mikko Rantanen.
Florida has a weird way of wasting the last-line change at home. Carolina could exploit these mistakes. The Hurricanes get traffic in front, and it comes down to execution. Getting Sergei Bobrovsky to overreact works.
If a player from the Hurricanes has the skills to create space and get pucks on and in the net, that is Seth Jarvis. Keep an eye out for his status. The backup plan would be Aho if he should not play somehow. Jarvis had several scoring chances in Games 1 and 2.
Game 3 Finale: Seth Jarvis first goal scorer (+1400 via Caesars).
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