Hurricanes vs. Panthers prediction, odds, TV schedule for Eastern Conference Final of 2023 NHL playoffs

The 2023 Eastern Conference Final is set in the NHL. 

The Hurricanes and Panthers punched their tickets by winning their second-round series. This Carolina's first trip to the conference final since 2019, and the Florida's first since 1996. 

Carolina took care of business with relative ease in Round 2, knocking off New Jersey in five games. Any concerns about the Canes' offense were thrown out the window as the club averaged more five goals per game against the Devils. 

Florida continued its magical 2023 postseason run by rolling over Toronto in five. The Panthers' defense held the Leafs' "Core Four" to minimal output, and the team used its physical style to outwork its Atlantic Division foe.

This is the first time the two clubs are facing each other in the postseason.

A series win for the Hurricanes would mean the club's first Stanley Cup Final appearance since winning it all in 2006. The Panthers would be playing in just their second Stanley Cup Final if they advance. Florida lost to Colorado in 1996. 

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Here's what you need to know about the Eastern Conference Final between the Hurricanes and the Panthers. 

Key storyline: Will Sergei Bobrovsky continue to turn back the clock?

Turning to Bobrovsky in the first round was a turning point for the Panthers. After Alex Lyon started the first three games, Bobrovsky took over in the middle of Game 3 and hasn't given way since. 

Bobrovsky's stats weren't great against the Bruins. He allowed at least three goals in four of his starts and gave up five in two separate games, He finished with a 3.94 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. But winning the last three games of the series to knock off the Stanley Cup favorite masked his underlying numbers. 

Against Toronto, Bobrovsky was stellar, especially with the offense having a harder time scoring. He allowed only two goals in each of the five contests and finished with a save percentage of .943% in the series. 

The Hurricanes are an excellent defensive team, but their offense has exploded this postseason despite missing key scoring wings. Carolina can win low-scoring, one-goal games and blow out opponents. Just ask New Jersey. 

Bobrovsky is showing signs of being the goaltender that won two Vezina trophies and was worth a $70 million contract. Florida will need him to continue being dominant in the crease. 

Hurricanes vs. Panthers playoff schedule, TV channels

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Hurricanes vs. Panthers odds

The Hurricanes are favored in the series according to Sports Interaction. The series total games is set at 5.5 with the under set at -200. 

Hurricanes: -128

Panthers: +105

Odds provided by Sports Interaction

Hurricanes vs. Panthers prediction

If two Eastern Conference playoff teams have been overlooked throughout the postseason, it's these two. 

The Islanders were seen as a potential threat to upset the Canes in the first round, and in the second round, all the talk was about the Devils coming off a win over the Rangers. The same applied to the Panthers; they were brushed aside in the first-round conversation as they went against the record-setting Bruins, and they were put on the back burner for their series vs. the Leafs. 

Talk about the will to win: the Panthers have it. Paul Maurice's crew has outworked its first two playoff opponents, scraping together dirty, grimy wins. But grit and determination can only take a team so far. 

With the Hurricanes' offensive worries having vanished, and coupled with their highly structured defense, they end the Panthers' Cinderella run in the conference finals. 

Prediction: Hurricanes in six.