Bruins vs Panthers Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Covers

24 April 2023

Bruins vs Panthers Odds, Picks, and Predictions

After a stunning loss on home ice in Game 2, the Boston Bruins regained the series lead over the Florida Panthers with a resounding Game 3 triumph. David Pastrnak can help the Bruins take Game 4, as our NHL betting picks explain.

Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins can take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers when the teams collide for Game 4 at FLA Live Arena this afternoon.

Boston came out on top in Game 3 despite playing without two key forwards in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and the Bruins may have to go into battle without them again, as both remain questionable heading into today’s contest.

Can the visitors take both games in Florida and push the hosts to the brink of elimination? Find out in our Bruins vs Panthers NHL picks and predictions for Sunday, April 23.

Bruins vs Panthers Game 4 odds

Bruins vs Panthers series odds

Bruins vs Panthers Game 4 predictions

The Bruins came out hard in Game 3, as Taylor Hall opened the scoring just 2:26 into the contest to set the tone. Boston went on to score four unanswered before the Panthers finally replied with two goals of its own in the final few minutes of play, but it was too little, too late.

Linus Ullmark, who was a game-time decision heading into the contest, stopped 29 of 31 shots and should be good to go again in Game 4. The Vezina Trophy frontrunner has been solid through the first three games of the postseason with a .913 SV% and a 2.29 GAA.

At the other end of the rink, we’ve seen plenty of turmoil in the Florida’s net as both Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Lyon have had a shot in between the pipes. Lyon, who started each of the first two contests, was pulled in Game 3 after allowing three goals on just 26 shots. Bobrovsky didn’t fare much better, giving up a goal on nine shots through the final eight minutes of play.

With Florida’s goaltending situation looking shaky and a couple of key players potentially still out for Boston, we should see plenty of opportunity for some of the Bruins’ other talented forwards to have a big night.

David Pastrnak in particular has had a relatively slow start to his postseason with two goals and no assists through three games. The winger is fresh off a 61-goal campaign where he was just three back of Connor McDavid in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race.

Pastrnak looked more like himself in Game 3 with seven shots on goal in over 21 minutes of ice time, and I think we’ll see him find the back of the net again as he seems to be getting warmed up in these playoffs.

My best bet: Pastrnak To Score A Goal (-115)

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.

Best NHL bonuses

Looking to do some NHL betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:

B) Get one no-sweat NHL SGP at DraftKings! Opt-in Now

best sportsbook promotions for 2023.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Bruins vs Panthers Game 4 moneyline analysis

The B’s will have the betting edge once again heading into Game 4, as they opened as the -149 favorite and got a slight bump at most books by Saturday evening. Boston won pretty comfortably in Game 3 so they can certainly do it again, even with an undermanned lineup. If Bergeron and Krejci return, that tilts the ice even further in favor of the visitors.

Boston’s edge will come largely from the backend, as the Bruins had by far the best defense in the NHL this season, allowing just 2.12 GPG. The Panthers, meanwhile, sat in the bottom third of the league rankings at 3.32 GAPG, and could be missing Aaron Ekblad, who is arguably their top defender.

The Bruins have the edge in head-to-head meetings as well, going 6-2-1 in their last nine games vs the Panthers.

Interestingly, Florida has controlled the flow of play at five-on-five in the early stages of the series, as the Panthers owned 60 percent of the expected goals share through the first two contests. However, the Bruins countered with 58 percent of expected goals in Game 3, which is more on trend with what we’d expect to see in this matchup moving forward.

Bruins vs Panthers Game 4 Over/Under analysis

The total for Game 4 opened at 6.5 goals but dropped to 6 at most books by Saturday night. This one could certainly go either way, but I lean towards the Under given how stingy Boston has been.

The B’s have allowed two goals or fewer in five of their last eight contests, and three or fewer in five of those tilts. Ullmark himself has held the opposition to two goals or fewer in nine of his last 11 appearances, so he could certainly keep this a low-scoring affair almost singlehandedly.

There isn’t a clear edge in terms of head-to-head matchups, as the Under is 5-5 in the last 10 meetings between the clubs, but the Under has gone 9-3-1 in their last 13 duels in Florida.