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Experts in Unanimous Agreement on Outcome of Panthers-Hurricanes Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 19, 2025 2:38 PM ET

The Florida Panthers were able to outlast the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, advancing to the conference final. Florida will now be taking on the Carolina Hurricanes, who upset the Washington Capitals in their own postseason series.

The Panthers went 2-1 against the Hurricanes during the regular season, and they will be looking to reach their third straight Stanley Cup Final. Florida is the defending champion, and they have shown all sorts of composure throughout the postseason.

Carolina has home-ice advantage in the series, giving them a potential edge. But the Panthers are a gritty unit and won't back down easily at all.

Chris Bengel and Austin Nivison of CBS Sports predicted the series, and both had the Panthers going back to the Stanley Cup Final.

Nivision has Florida advancing in a six-game series.

"The Panthers have three lines capable of doing damage, their team defense is second to none and Sergei Bobrovsky elevated his game in the last four games against Toronto. The Panthers are just a cut above the Hurricanes in almost every aspect. Carolina will avoid the sweep, but Florida will advance to its third straight Stanley Cup Final. Pick -- Panthers def. Hurricanes 4-2"

Bengal has Florida taking down the Hurricanes fairly easily, winning in just five games.

"The combination of offensive depth and a stellar back end will be the difference in this series. While the Hurricanes can defend at an elite level, the Panthers are going to be too much for them to handle throughout this series. Pick -- Panthers def. Hurricanes 4-1"

The Panthers enter the series as favorites, despite not having home-ice advantage. The mixture of experience and play in the postseason so far has many looking at them to win.

But Carolina has been sneaky good throughout the playoffs this season, and could surprise some people again. Game 1 between the two sides is set to kick off on Tuesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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