The Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers meet for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday. Vegas leads the series 2-0. Puck drop from FLA Live Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Golden Knights vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Panthers were trampled on The Strip in Las Vegas, losing 7-2 Monday in Game 2 and dropping the series opener 5-2 Saturday. Florida went to Vegas with hopes of winning big but hopped a red-eye home beaten and downtrodden. It’s been known to happen to plenty with big dreams heading to Sin City.
The Golden Knights were a solid 2-for-4 on the power play in Game 2 and are 4-for-11 (36.4%) on the man advantage in this series so far. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 0-for-7 on the power play.
Florida has been the more physical team, outhitting Vegas at a 36-to-29 margin in Game 1, and a 44-to-24 margin in Game 2.
Vegas scored 2 goals in the 1st and 2nd periods and lit the lamp 3 times in the final 20 minutes in Game 2. Light-scoring C Brett Howden bagged 2 goals, while former Panthers sniper RW Jonathan Marchessault had a power-play goal, an even-strength marker and a helper for the only 3-point night in the series so far. Marchessault has become the Conn Smythe Trophy favorite at -105 as a result.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Golden Knights at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Panthers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-250) | Panthers -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Golden Knights at Panthers projected goalies
Adin Hill (16-7-1, 2.50 GAA, .915 SV% – regular season) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO – regular season) vs.
Hill is quickly scooting up the Conn Smythe odds, tied with Jack Eichel with the 2nd-shortest odds at +500. The backstop has been electric, including a ridiculous highlight-reel stick save across a yawning net to stop C Nick Cousins from an easy tap-in goal in Game 1.
The 27-year-old backstop has kicked aside 62 of the 66 shots he has faced in his 2 starts in this series, and he has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 9 of the past 10 starts overall.
Bobrovsky had a firm grip on the Conn Smythe Trophy heading into this series, but he has been bombed for 8 goals on just 46 shots (.826 SV%) and he was yanked by coach Paul Maurice in Game 2. If you still believe in Bob, he is a huge value. His Conn Smythe odds have tumbled all the way to +1200, going from favorite to long shot in just 2 games.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Golden Knights at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 3, Panthers 2
Moneyline
The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+100) are worth a look as short ‘dogs in Game 3, as this team is playing with a ton of confidence.
A change of venue and 2 full days of rest could totally make a difference, but the Panthers have been stout in every series so far. However, after roaring in the first 3 series, these cats looked neutered in the first 2 games.
I am seeing a parade from the Strat, past Resorts World, in front of the Mirage, past Caesars Palace, in front of the fountains of the Bellagio, down to Park MGM and T-Mobile Arena, or perhaps it will be in reverse of that order — but it’s happening in 2 or 3 more games.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Golden Knights +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s too expensive in their first road game of this series. There is just value in a singular bet on Vegas on the puck line, and including it in a multi-team parlay sucks the value out of your ticket.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-110) is the lean in Game 3 as the series shifts to South Florida. I expect the Panthers to play better and I expect Bob in particular to be much sharper.
We have seen a pair of Over results in the first 2 games of the series, but as we get deeper into the series, look for more defense, and better goaltending.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]