Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights Gm 1 odds, picks, predictions

The Florida Panthers visit the Vegas Golden Knightsfor Game 1 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final Saturday. Puck drop from 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 Panthers have been red-hot, winning 5 consecutive games since a Game 4 setback against the Toronto Maple Leafs on home ice in the 2nd round. Florida is 11-1 across its last 12 games with the Under cashing in 8 of its last 9 games.

Florida has ousted the top overall seed Boston Bruins in 7 games in the opening round before polishing off the Leafs in 5, before sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Panthers have won 8 straight playoff road outings since dropping Game 1 against the Bruins. The Under has connected in 6 of the 9 road outings for Florida, including each of the past 5 away games.

The Golden Knights suffered losses in 2 straight elimination games against the Dallas Stars before finally ousting their opponent in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. Vegas has won 6 of the past 8 games overall.

Vegas topped the Winnipeg Jets in 5 games in the Conference Quarterfinals, before easing by the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games. The Golden Knights are 6-3 in 9 home games and the Over is 6-3 in 9 home playoff contests, too.

Vegas picked up a 4-2 victory on home ice Jan. 12 as the Under cashed in these teams’ first regular-season meeting, while Florida won 2-1 on March 7 in Sunrise as the Under cashed again.

Panthers at Golden Knights odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:36 a.m. ET.

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Panthers at Golden Knights projected goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO – regular season) vs. Adin Hill (16-7-1, 2.50 GAA, .915 SV% – regular season)

Bobrovsky allowed 3 goals on 39 shots in Game 4 against the Hurricanes, winning a 5th consecutive start. He is now 11-2-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .935 SV% in 13 postseason starts and 1 relief appearance. Bob has become the chalk at BetMGM Sportsbook for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s postseason most valuable player.

He was 1-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .938 SV% in 2 regular-season starts against the Golden Knights.

Hill turned aside all 23 shots he faced in an elimination game in Dallas in Game 6, his 2nd shutout in 4 starts. In the postseason, Hill is 7-3-0 with a 2.07 GAA and .937 SV% with 2 SO in 9 postseason starts and 2 relief appearances.

He posted a 1-1-0 record with a 2.03 GAA and .963 SV% in 2 starts against the Panthers during the regular season.

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Panthers at Golden Knights picks and predictions

Prediction

Golden Knights 3, Panthers 2

The chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup has reached the final series, and the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-130) should break the ice with a victory in Game 1 in what should be a very close game.

It won’t be easy, as the Panthers have won 11 of the past 12 games, and they have 8 consecutive road victories in the playoffs.

Still, Vegas is 18-6 in the past 24 games at home and is 5-1 in its last 6 games when working on 3 or more days of rest. It is also 4-0 in the past 4 against Eastern Conference teams.

The Panthers +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return if you like the visitors to keep it within a single goal.

That’s way too expensive, and if you like Florida, you should just play it straight up. Puck line plays on the underdog are usually just way too much risk for not enough reward.

PASS.

UNDER 5.5 (-105) is a decent play, especially since the Panthers have cashing so many Unders. However, some trends point the other way. The Golden Knights have cashed the Over in 12 of the past 17 games at ‘The Fortress’ and the Over is 3-1-1 in Vegas’ last 5 when working on 3 or more days of rest.

Still, both goaltenders are playing with a lot of confidence and we’ve also had plenty of days off between series for teams. There will be some rust, at least early on, so go low and feel confident in doing so.

In addition, I like UNDER 1.5 1ST PERIOD GOALS (-105) in Game 1, although I’d go lightly all around on the totals.