Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins Game 5 odds, picks, predictions

The Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins meet Wednesday for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, as the series shifts back to Boston. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Panthers vs. Bruins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Bruins lead the series 3-1.

The Panthers suffered a disappointing 6-2 setback on home ice in Game 4 Sunday night, and Florida was outscored 10-4 in Sunrise in the last 2 games. As such, the Panthers were pushed to the brink of elimination, and have to win 3 in a row, including 2 in Boston, to stay alive.

The Bruins have scored 3 or more goals in each of the 4 games in this series, averaging 4.0 goals per game (GPG) so far. Boston is 4-for-14 (28.6%) on the power play in this series, which is slightly better than its 22.2% mark on the man advantage during the regular season, according to covers.com.

Panthers at Bruins odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:44 p.m. ET.

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Panthers at Bruins projected goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO – regular season) vs. Linus Ullmark (40-6-1, 1.89 GAA, .938 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)

Bobrovsky allowed 5 goals on 30 shots, including a pair of power-play goals, in his 1st action in the crease since late March. He actually played pretty well considering the long layoff, and he gave his team a chance to win, down just 2-1 heading to the 3rd period before the wheels came off.

Ullmark had an eventful Game 4. He allowed just 2 goals on 43 shots, but was sent off at 16:49 of the 3rd period for trying to fight Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk during a fracas between the teams. Jeremy Swayman finished up and turned aside the only shot he faced.

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Panthers at Bruins picks and predictions

Prediction

Bruins 4, Panthers 2

The Bruins (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your initial wager, and that’s quite expensive. While this is an elimination game, and I feel Boston is going to win, there is too much risk and not enough reward playing such a heavy favorite.

AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.

The BRUINS -1.5 (+100) are a much better play at even-money on the puck line.

Boston is 3-1 as a favorite in this series, which cashing on the puck line in each of the 3 victories. In fact, the margin of victory for the Bruins in their 3 wins is 2.7 GPG.

On the flip side, the Panthers +1.5 (-120) are 1-4 in the last 5 games dating back to the regular season as an underdog against the puck line.

I think the Over/Under 6 lands right on the number.

We have seen the Over and Under alternate in this series, with the Over cashing in Game 4. In the 4 games, we have had a total of 27 goals, or an average of 6.8 GPG. If I was forced to pick, I’d lean ever so slightly to the Over.

However, the best course of action is to PASS.