Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, and five players scored for the Florida Panthers, who defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday. It was Carolina’s first loss in six home games in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.