Panthers vs. Bruins prediction and odds for NHL playoffs Game 5

The Boston Bruins can become to first team in this year’s edition of the NHL Playoffs to advance to the second round. They hold a 3-1 series lead against the Florida Panthers when the two teams play in Boston in Game 5 tonight.

The Bruins were upset in Game 2, but have won two straight games in convincing fashion and are now in a great spot to take a step toward breaking the Presidents Trophy curse.

Let’s take a look at the betting odds for tonight’s potential series clinching game.

Panthers vs. Bruins odds, puck line, and total

Panthers vs. Bruins prediction and pick

The Bruins have started to do in this series what they’ve done all season; making up for average play between the blue lines by scoring at a high rate and having great goaltending.

The Panthers are outperforming the Bruins during 5-on-5 play, outranking them in CORSI% at 50.66% and sporting an expected goals percentage of 51.72%. They’re also averaging 1.98 more high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play.

But, the Bruins have a shooting percentage of 12.12% and a save percentage of 91.97%, which makes all the difference in the world when it comes to winning games.

With that being said, I can’t ignore the advanced analytics that show the Panthers have been playing better than the final scores of indicated. I may not be brave enough to bet on them to win, but I think they can at least keep this game close.

I’ll back the Panthers at +1.5 on the puck line.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.