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The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers entered the 2022-23 NHL season priced as two of the favorites in the Eastern Conference, but so far only one of those teams has truly lived up to that billing. 

While the Hurricanes are off and running with another strong start, the Panthers have been inconsistent as they adjust to a new head coach and a roster that has endured plenty of turnover. And Florida’s lineup has been thrown into further flux of late with the injury to Aaron Ekblad and the suspension of Matthew Tkachuk. 

Florida’s 7-5-1 record is nothing to get too alarmed about, but its +1 goal differential and the fact that the team ranks 15th in goals per game is a bit concerning for a team that set a salary-cap-era record with 337 tallies in 2021-22. 

As usual, the Hurricanes boast one of the best statistical portfolios. They rank first in the NHL in shot attempt share, second in expected goals rate and third in high-danger chance percentage. The Panthers have strong underlying metrics themselves — ranking third, fourth and sixth in those same categories — but Tkachuk is one of their key play-drivers and his absence looms large on Wednesday. 

Carolina’s ability to roll four lines and three defense pairs gives it a serious leg up on the Panthers on Wednesday night, so back the ’Canes to get the job done on the road.