Tonight, May 26, 2025, the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes face off in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers hold a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven series and are just one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season. This game carries huge significance, as the Hurricanes fight to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Panthers look to close out the series with authority.

If you’re a hockey fan or just curious about how this matchup might play out, this in-depth preview will give you everything you need to know. We’ll break down the teams’ recent form, injury updates, key stats, and insights from top prediction models to help you understand what to expect in tonight’s game.

The Stakes: Why Game 4 Matters

The Panthers have dominated this series so far. After winning the first three games, they have a chance to sweep the Hurricanes for the second time in three years. A sweep means Florida would move on to the Stanley Cup Final without needing to play any more games in this series.

For Carolina, the pressure couldn’t be higher. They are facing elimination and must win tonight to keep their season alive. But with injuries piling up and their offense struggling, the task looks very tough.

How Have the Teams Performed?

Florida Panthers: Firepower and Depth

The Panthers have been a force to be reckoned with this postseason. They average 4.00 goals per game in this series, which is an impressive number in playoff hockey where defenses usually tighten up. Their defense has also been solid, allowing just 2.16 goals per game.

Captain Aleksander Barkov leads the team with 15 points in 15 playoff games. He’s been consistent, scoring and assisting when it matters most. Other players like Jesper Boqvist and Niko Mikkola have stepped up, adding important goals and energy.

Florida’s power play has been effective, scoring on 25% of their chances overall, and even more deadly in this series with a 44% success rate. This means when they get a man advantage, they are very likely to score.

Carolina Hurricanes: Struggling to Keep Up

The Hurricanes average 2.75 goals per game this series, which is respectable but not enough against Florida’s high-powered offense. Defensively, they allow 2.46 goals per game, slightly worse than Florida.

Carolina’s power play is actually a bit better than Florida’s at 27.9%, but their penalty kill has struggled, especially against Florida’s aggressive power play.

Injuries have hit Carolina hard. Key defensemen Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker are day-to-day and may miss tonight’s game. Losing these players weakens their defense and makes it easier for Florida to generate scoring chances.

Injury Report: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

Injuries can change the course of a game, especially in the playoffs. Here’s the latest:

Florida Panthers: Sam Reinhart is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He missed some time but could return tonight, adding depth to Florida’s top lines.
Carolina Hurricanes: Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker are both day-to-day with undisclosed injuries. Their absence leaves Carolina’s defense short-handed and vulnerable.

With Florida healthier and deeper, this gives the Panthers an edge.

Momentum and Recent Form

Momentum matters a lot in playoff hockey. Florida is riding a wave of confidence. In Game 3, they scored five goals in the third period alone to pull away 6-2. That kind of offensive explosion shows they can dominate at any time.

Carolina, on the other hand, has lost 15 straight Eastern Conference Final games, including multiple sweeps. That kind of losing streak can weigh heavily on players’ minds, especially when facing elimination.

What Do Prediction Models Say?

To get a clearer picture, let’s look at what five respected NHL prediction models forecast for tonight’s game:

Model	Predicted Score (Florida – Carolina)
Bayesian Network	5 – 2
XGBoost	4 – 2
Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulator	6 – 3
Random Forest	5 – 1
Ensemble AI Model (Sporting Post)	4 – 2

All five models agree Florida will win comfortably, scoring between 4 and 6 goals while limiting Carolina to 1 to 3 goals.

Why the Over 5.5 Total Goals Is a Smart Choice Tonight

The over/under line for total goals is set at 5.5, meaning the combined goals scored by both teams need to be six or more for the “over” to hit.

Here’s why this looks likely:

Florida has scored five or more goals in four straight playoff games, a rare and impressive streak.
Carolina’s defense is weakened by injuries, and their goaltending has struggled, allowing many high-danger chances.
Florida’s power play is clicking at 44% efficiency, while Carolina’s penalty kill is just 55%, increasing the chance of multiple power-play goals.
The last three games combined for 24 goals total, averaging 8 goals per game.
Prediction models estimate total goals ranging from 6 to 9, well above 5.5.

Given these factors, the game should be fast-paced and high scoring.

Other Factors to Keep in Mind

Home Ice Advantage: Florida plays at home, where they have been strong all season and playoff games.
Motivation: Florida is motivated to finish the series quickly and move on to the Stanley Cup Final.
Pressure on Carolina: Facing elimination, Carolina may take more risks, which could lead to more scoring chances for both teams.
Special Teams: Florida’s power play is a major weapon, and Carolina’s penalty kill struggles could be costly.

Final Prediction: Florida Panthers 6, Carolina Hurricanes 2

Everything points to a Florida Panthers victory tonight. Their offense is in top form, their defense is solid, and they have the depth and health advantage. Carolina faces a tough challenge with injuries and recent poor form.

Expect Florida to control the game, score multiple goals, and close out the series with a confident win.

Conclusion: Why This Game Will Be Exciting and What to Expect

Tonight’s Game 4 promises to be an exciting and fast-paced hockey match. The Florida Panthers have been unstoppable, and all signs indicate they will continue their dominance. The Carolina Hurricanes will fight hard to avoid elimination, but their injuries and struggles make a comeback unlikely.

If you’re looking for a game with plenty of goals and action, this is it. The Panthers’ offense is firing on all cylinders, and the Hurricanes’ defense has holes that Florida is ready to exploit.

The predicted score of 6-2 in favor of Florida reflects the Panthers’ strong advantage in all key areas. The total goals are expected to be well over 5.5, making for an entertaining, high-scoring night of hockey.

Get ready for a thrilling finish to the Eastern Conference Final — the Florida Panthers look poised to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final once again.

My Pick: over 5.5 total goals LOSE