Teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-7 Stanley Cup Playoff series go on to win the series 68.1 percent of the time (534-250). The percentage increases to 74.9 percent (368-123) when the home team wins Game 1, and decreases to 56.7 percent (166-127) when the road team wins Game 1.

Jalen Chatfield — who typically works with Dmitry Orlov in Carolina’s second pairing — missed the clinching game of the second-round series against the Capitals with a lower-body injury.

The Carolina Hurricanes will be facing off against the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. After taking down the Washington Capitals in the second round, the Hurricanes are ready for the challenge of the defending champions.

A battle between two of the top defensive teams in the NHL, the Hurricanes have allowed the fewest goals per game in the playoffs (1.80), just one spot ahead of the Panthers (2.42). Carolina is also first on the penalty kill (93.3%), with Florida right behind in second (89.5%). Both teams also have a stalwart shutdown duo on their top pair.

Check out our best bets for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes.

In a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers, the Hurricanes will yet again play another recent playoff opponent, this time looking to turn the tables after that sweep.