Prediction published on 12/23/25, 2:24 PM
 by
Bill Christy
in
NHL Picks
The Carolina Hurricanes (22-10-3) will welcome the Florida Panthers (19-14-2) to town on Tuesday evening. The two had just faced off last Friday in Florida, where the Panthers were able to score a 4-3 victory in shootouts. Down 3-1 midway through the 3rd period, the Panthers rallied to score 3 unanswered goals and force the overtime period. With no one scoring in overtime, the shootout ended when Sergei Bobrovsky stopped Nikolaj Ehlers attempt to force another set of shooters.
The Canes are currently 1st in the Metropolitan Division but have now lost back-to-back games. After the loss to these Panthers, they dropped another one to the Tampa Bay Lightning the following day 6-4. Once again, they saw a 3-goal lead get erased and were unable to take back momentum. The 2 losses came after the Canes were riding a 5-game win streak, but now are on the verge of being on their 1st losing streak of the season.
Florida’s last win over the Canes extended a win streak to 4 games. However, they had that streak promptly snapped the next day when they fell to the St. Louis Blues 6-2. In that loss, the Panthers saw the Blues put 4 straight unanswered goals in the next from the final minute of the 2nd period, through the 3rd period.
In this rematch, the Canes should be hungry to avoid their losing streak and get some revenge against this Florida team. But, with losing consecutive games with 3-goal leads, it will not be an easy task.