The Florida Panthers meet the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Final playoff series Monday. Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Panthers vs. Golden Knights odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Golden Knights were the more disciplined team in Game 1 as they exhibited masterclass composure in the 5-2 victory. Florida jumped out to a 1-0 lead halfway through the 1st period, and each team traded goals in the 1st 2 frames. It was all Vegas in the 3rd.
Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill delivered possibly the best save of the postseason reaching back to make a save with his stick, and D Alex Pietrangelo stopped another Panthers stab at it. It seemed to leave the Panthers in shock, and all they could do was try to muck it up and bait VGK into penalties.
We went 4-1 here in Game 1 with the only prop that didn’t cash being Sergei Bobrovsky falling 1 save short. Let’s see where the value lies for Game 2.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Game 2: Best Panthers at Golden Knights prop bet picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.
Matthew Tkachuk ANYTIME goal (+120)
Tkachuk was mostly invisible in Game 1 until he was sent to the locker room early. He used one of his usual tricks in jabbing people in the face during scrums trying to get a retaliatory infraction called and was given a double-minor and a 10-minute misconduct. Something similar happened in Game 4 against Boston, and he came back with a goal and an assist in Game 5. He had goals in 3 of 4 games against Carolina and will look to be more of a factor in Game 2.
Mark Stone OVER 2.5 shots (+105)
Stone had a goal and was all over the ice in Game 1, logging 7 shots on goal. That was the most shots he recorded all postseason, but he has logged at least 3 SOG in the last 3 games. I look for Game 2 to have a different vibe, and VGK will need its power forward to continue to apply the pressure.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Will both teams score 2 or more goals? (including overtime and shoot-outs): YES (-175)
We cashed this one in Game 1 at -160, and the books have added even more juice. I feel strongly enough about it to bite one more time. It has cashed in 6 of the last 8 meetings between the teams, and I look for a more focused Panthers team in Game 2.
Jonathan Marchessault OVER 0.5 Points (-155)
Marchessault has goals in 5 of the last 6 games and points in all 6. I would consider his anytime goal prop as well at +130, but I’m hedging a little bit here because the other team has to put a target on him at some point. He’s a main cog on the power play and has a knack for getting open in front of the net.
First Period OVER 1.5 total goals (-125)
This happened in Game 1 even with a slow start as each team felt one another out. I look for a quick start from Florida with the potential of each team scoring in the 1st period again. We had just 16 total shots in the 1st period of Game 1. That probably won’t be the case this time.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]