Jan. 16, 2026, 6:41 a.m. ET

The Florida Panthers (24-18-3) and Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-4) meet Friday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Hurricanes and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Panthers lead 2-0

The Panthers have won the first 2 meetings, a 4-3 shootout win at home Dec. 19, and a 5-2 victory Dec. 23 in Raleigh as slight underdogs (+110) as the Over (5.5) cashed. Carolina led 2-0 after 40 minutes, but the Panthers scored 5 unanswered goals in the third period to stun the Canes. The Panthers had just 8 shots in the first 2 periods, but outshot the Hurricanes 14-3 in a dominant third period.

Florida topped the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 Monday in the fourth stop on a 6-game road trip, as RW A.J. Greer led the way with a pair of goals, and C Carter Verhaeghe had 3 assists. It has won 2 in a row after going 0-2 in the first 2 games on the journey. The Over-Under has split 2-2 on the 4-game trip.

Carolina was embarrassed 3-0 at the St. Louis Blues Tuesday as moderate favorites (-175) as the Under (5.5) cashed. Rookie G Brandon Bussi stopped 28 of 31 shots, letting in a shorthanded goal and a power-play goal.

After a 4-game win streak, the Canes are 0-1-1 in the past 2 games, both on the road, while splitting the total. The Hurricanes have won 3 in a row at home, outscoring the opposition 14-7. The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 at home, and 6-2 across the past 8 outings at Lenovo Center.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers at Hurricanes odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 6:34 am. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Panthers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Hurricanes -165 (bet $165 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers +1.5 (-175) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+145)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -118 | U: -102)Panthers at Hurricanes projected goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky (19-12-1, 2.90 GAA, .880 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Brandon Bussi (16-3-1, 2.31 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO)

Bobrovsky has had a roller coaster ride this season, and he started off January with 3 straight losses with 12 goals allowed from Jan. 2-8, including a loss to the New York Rangers in the NHL Winter Classic Jan. 2 in Miami. He has allowed just 5 goals on 42 shots in his past 2 start, both wins, at the Ottawa Senators and at Buffalo.

Bussi coughed up 3 goals in St. Louis, snapping a 3-game win streak. He has been a little shaky in January than past months, going 3-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .880 SV% in 5 outings. He was 6-0-1 with a 2.05 GAA and .916 SV% in 7 December starts, 4-0-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .895 SV% with a SO in 4 November outings, and 3-1-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .916 SV% in 4 October starts.

Panthers at Hurricanes picks and predictionsPrediction

Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3

The PANTHERS (+135) are a nice play as moderate underdogs.

First off, Florida has won the first 2 meetings, including a win in Raleigh in late December. The Panthers have won 3 in a row in the series, and they’re coming off 2 straight road wins, as Bobrovsky rounds into form.

The Hurricanes have been strong on home ice, but the Panthers have been the kryptonite of Carolina in recent years, especially the postseason.

If you’re a little on the conservative side, PANTHERS +1.5 (-175) isn’t priced out of line if you want some insurance, and just can’t bring yourself to take Florida straight up for some reason.

As an underdog on the puck line, Florida is 7-2 in the past 9 tries, including 7 outright victories.

OVER 6 (-115) is the lean, but roll with a half-unit play at best.

The Over is 4-2 in the past 6 road games for the Panthers, including a 5-2 win in Raleigh on Dec. 23.

The Over has a 5-3 edge in the past 8 games for the Hurricanes, while going 4-1 in the past 5 at home, and 6-2 across the previous 8 outing at Lenovo Center. The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 meetings in Raleigh, too, including Game 1 and 5 last season in a second-round playoff matchup.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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