The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes meet Saturday in game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals at the PNC Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Florida Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida Panthers are averaging 3.31 goals per game and are scoring on 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Brandon Montour leads Florida with 6 goals, Matthew Tkachuk has 11 assists and Brandon Montour has 53 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 65.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 9 goals on 92 shots faced, and Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 29 goals on 395 shots.

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.50 goals per game and are scoring on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 5 goals, Brent Burns has 7 assists and Martin Necas has 36 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.58 goals per game and are killing 90.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Antti Raanta has allowed 13 goals on 139 shots faced, and Frederik Andersen has given up 13 goals on 204 shots.

Trends

The Panthers are 13-3 in their last 16 road games and 8-1 in their last 9 overall. The Hurricanes are 42-16 in their last 58 home games and 50-23 in their last 73 overall. The under is 6-0 in Panthers last 6 overall. The over is 7-3-1 in Hurricanes last 11 overall. The Panthers are 15-37-2 in the last 54 meetings in Carolina and 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. The favorite is 53-26 in the last 79 meetings.

Randy’s Free Pick

The Carolina Hurricanes are going to be favored for obvious reasons at home, as this is pretty much a must win game after dropping game 1. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s some carry over from that contest, as it’s not going to be easy getting up after playing 6 hours and getting nothing from it. Also, the Panthers have won 13 of their last 16 road games, and that includes 7 straight victories. The Panthers haven’t lost a road game since game 1 against the Bruins over a month ago. Sergei Bobrovsky also looks like old Vezina Trophy winner Bob, which raises the ceiling of this Florida team. Give me the plus money.