As big a favorite as Connor McDavid is to win the 2024 Hart Trophy, his incoming namesake, Connor Bedard, owns even shorter odds to be crowned the NHL’s Rookie of the Year next season.

After tearing up the WHL and breaking numerous records while leading Canada to gold at the World Junior Hockey Championships, there was no doubt that the number one overall pick would be the chalk in the 2024 Calder Trophy odds, but at -110, there’s not a lot of bang for your buck with the phenom.

Are there any other legitimate contenders out there worth sprinkling some cash on? We’ll break down Bedard’s value as well as spotlight some other contenders in the Calder Trophy odds below, who might just surprise and be a better pick.

2024 Calder Trophy Odds

Odds as of July 26th at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim a FanDuel promo code to bet on the Calder Trophy. 

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In the last four seasons, the Calder Trophy has been won two times apiece by forwards and defensemen. To find the last time a goalie won it, you’d have to go back to Steven Mason in 2009, so although there are a couple of netminders listed in the table above, our advice is to stick with the skaters and we begin with Bedard.

Generation Talent Bedard a Huge Favorite in Calder Trophy Odds

Most of the money will be on the Blackhawks’ potential savior to be given best freshman honors and who can argue? Bedard has surpassed every test that has been thrown his way and finished with 71 goals and 143 points in just 57 games in his final junior season.

However, if you look at the last four players dubbed “generational talents” by the media, only one captured the Calder Trophy and that was Mario Lemieux back in 1985.

Calder Trophy Finishes for Recent “Generational Players”

For anybody that has watched him play, there’s no reason to dissect why Bedard is such a huge favorite to win the trophy, but at such heavy odds, an injury could easily knock him out of the running. Both Connor McDavid and Eric Lindros missed substantial time during their rookie season.

While The Big E likely wouldn’t have won the award anyway after Teemu Selanne delivered the best freshman season in NHL history, scoring 76 goals, McDavid would’ve had a great chance to wrestle the trophy away from Panarin if he hadn’t missed half the season in his rookie campaign.

Other Contenders and Longshots in Calder Odds

Surrounded by fellow Michigan alumni, Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson, 3rd overall pick, Adam Fantilli should have no problem adjusting to the NHL life in Columbus. As a freshman, he led all NCAA players with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games and won the Hobey Baker Award last year.

Some might think he’ll find NHL life difficult under stern coach Mike Babcock, remember, the first-year bench boss in Columbus was Auston Matthews’ coach when he won the Calder and also helped develop Mitch Marner and William Nylander into the players they are today.

D-1 NCAA points leaders this season:

65 — Adam Fantilli
60 — Logan Cooley
59 — Colin Graf
53 — Sean Farrell
50 — Jimmy Snuggerud

Oh yeah, and he lead the NCAA in +/- … and he missed time for WJC… and he's only a couple months older than 2023 prospects pic.twitter.com/1drgSvVXnQ

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) July 26, 2023

While we’re on the subject of Maple Leafs, don’t sleep on Matthew Knies. Only an injury knocked him out of the Leafs’ playoff lineup after he showed coach Sheldon Keefe that he deserved a regular spot in the squad.

With Nylander’s status with Toronto up in the air, Knies could see a lot of playing time with Matthews, Marner or both and if you’re playing with that kind of talent, you’ll be racking up the points.

Finally, there is a former college linemate of Knies that has to be considered. Logan Cooley was expected to go back to the University of Minnesota for one more season, but it now appears as if he’s on the cusp of signing an entry-level deal with the Coyotes.

Per source, there is momentum toward Logan Cooley signing his ELC to play for the Coyotes this season.

Cooley previously announced that he'd return to Minnesota for his sophomore season but he left the door open in this Q&A that I conducted with him.https://t.co/8IZCYKorhc

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) July 26, 2023

Only Bedard notched more points than the 14 the Pittsburgh native managed at the World Junior tournament. Granted, Arizona will not be a contender in the Stanley Cup odds, but it’s not difficult to imagine Cooley getting time on the first power play unit and perhaps centering the top line with Clayton Keller who managed 86 points last year.

If it was just a matter of picking your winner, undoubtedly, my vote would go to Bedard, but at +2500, the better bang for your buck is to take your chances 3rd overall pick from the 2022 draft.

Pick: Logan Cooley (+2500) 

The post Opening 2024 Calder Trophy Odds – Connor Bedard the Clear Favorite appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

With almost all the top dogs available in free agency now off the board, sportsbooks have released updated Stanley Cup odds for the 2023-2024 season. While the Avalanche maintain their spot atop the heap, there has been a lot of movement in the leaderboard.

Most notably, the Carolina Hurricanes, who bolstered an already impressive defense core, have caused oddsmakers to adjust the likelihood of the Stanley Cup return to North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the updated Stanley Cup odds below and gauge which teams are the best bets.

Stanley Cup Odds 2024

At the same point in time, the Hurricanes opening 2024 Stanley Cup odds stood at +1300 along with a host of other teams, but have since shortened to +900, leaving them alone as the runner-up on the board. That is where we’ll begin our analysis of movers and shakers.

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Odds as of July 3rd, 2023 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Grab a FanDuel promo code to make an early Stanley Cup wager. 

Hurricanes Make Jump in 2024 Stanley Cup Odds

Already owning one of the best bluelines in the league, the Hurricanes nabbed the best defenseman in free agency when they signed Dmitry Orlov to a 2-year/$15.5 million dollar contract. In addition, it’s expected that a trade for Tony DeAngelo will be finalized in a week or so with Carolina basically giving up nothing to Philly.

Canes GM Don Waddell on signing Orlov: “We felt that Dmitry was the best available defenseman on the free agent market. He is a versatile player with a lot of offensive upside, and this signing only strengthens our defensive group heading into next season.”

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2023

As always, Carolina was one of the best teams in the league last season and although they were ousted in four games in the Eastern Conference Final, the series was much closer than a sweep would suggest.

Every game they lost was by a single goal, with two going into overtime and the first match of the series needing four extra frames before it was completed. The Canes were also dealing with significant injuries to Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen and Max Pacioretty.

General Manager, Don Waddell resigned both goaltenders and also added Michael Bunting up front, while letting the aging Pacioretty walk. Keep your eyes on the Canes, as they might not be done making moves, but at the moment, there is no defense that’s even close to being as good as the top six that Carolina can ice.

Dubas Moves Quick in Free Agency for Penguins

Amongst the busiest teams in the last week have been the Penguins, with new President Kyle Dubas immediately putting his stamp on the team. In are Reilly Smith, the aforementioned Graves, Lars Eller and Noel Acciari. Gone are Jason Zucker and Brian Dumoulin.

🐧 https://t.co/fCJljB6pyE

— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) July 2, 2023

Perhaps Dubas’ biggest move was giving goalie Tristan Jarry a five-year extension. While the former Leafs General Manager has impressed with some decisions in the past, he has a bad track record when it comes to goalie acquisitions, with Petr Mrazek and Matt Murray amongst his biggest blunders while with the Leafs.

Other Movers and Shakers Following Free Agency

No other teams made significant jumps in the Stanley Cup odds, although the Flames continue to tumble down the table, seeing their odds lengthen from +3200 to +4000, with reports that many of their best players won’t extend their contracts beyond next season.

The youthful New Jersey Devils have high expectations put on them, climbing into a tie for 3rd spot with the Oilers at +1100 in the shortest odds to win the Cup. While the Devils traded for Flames winger Tyler Toffoli, they have lost veteran defensemen, Damon Severson and Ryan Graves, so a wager on them might not be the smartest way to go.

Most other teams odds remain very similar to the end of the 2023 playoffs. There are still many unanswered questions, like will Patrice Bergeron be back for the Bruins? Will the Leafs make a huge trade getting rid of William Nylander or Mitch Marner?

At this point, Carolina at +900 and Edmonton at +1100 appear to be solid bets to win the Cup, coming up just short in recent seasons and adding to already impressive lineups. Don’t sleep on Vegas either, as the defending champs really have no huge losses and are currently +1300 to repeat.

The post Updated 2024 Stanley Cup Odds After NHL Free Agency – Hurricanes Now 2nd Betting Favorite appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The hardware was just handed out for the 2022-23 NHL regular season, but oddsmakers are already offering odds for the 2024 NHL Awards. Bettors can wager on the Hart Trophy,  Vezina Trophy and Norris Trophy winners for 2023-24.

Edmonton Oilers phenom Connor McDavid has opened as the +100 favorite to win his fourth career MVP trophy in 2023-24. The Vezina Trophy odds don’t feature a clear favorite, while the Norris Trophy odds favor a stud defenseman who has already won the award once.

Let’s dive into the opening NHL Awards odds for 2024, and analyze the best early value.

2024 Hart Trophy Odds

Player (Team)	Odds
Connor McDavid (Oilers)	+100
Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche)	+900
Leon Draisaitl (Oilers)	+1000
Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers)	+1200
Kirill Kaprizov (Wild)	+1600
David Pastrnak (Bruins)	+1600
Auston Matthews (Maple Leafs)	+1600
Jack Hughes (Devils)	+1800
Tage Thompson (Sabres)	+2500
Nikita Kucherov (Lightning)	+2500
Jason Robertson (Stars)	+3000
Cale Makar (Avalanche)	+3000
Mikko Rantanen (Avalanche)	+4000
Kyle Connor (Jets)	+5000
Jack Eichel (Golden Knights)	+5000
Ilya Sorokin (Islanders)	+6000
Elias Pettersson (Canucks)	+6000
Sidney Crosby (Penguins)	+7500
Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes)	+7500
Roope Hintz (Stars)	+7500

Opening 2024 NHL Awards odds as of June 27, 2023, at DraftKings Sportsbook.

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McDavid Clear Favorite in Hart Odds

To nobody’s surprise, Edmonton Oilers center Connor Mcdavid is the early betting favorite to win the 2024 Hart Trophy. What might be surprising, however, is McDavid being listed at plus-money despite clearly being the best hockey player in the world.

McDavid was one vote away from winning the Hart Trophy unanimously for the second time in his NHL career. By the time the 2022-23 season had concluded, the Canadian superstar was sitting at -9000 odds at sportsbooks (90% implied probability).

KING OF HARTS ♥️

McDavid has been awarded his third Hart Memorial Trophy. pic.twitter.com/DUnUcmknUQ

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 27, 2023

McDavid has already won three Hart trophies at age 26, but none of those wins came in back-to-back years. There actually hasn’t been a back-to-back Hart winner in consecutive years since Alex Ovechkin in 2008 and 2009.

McDavid seems like a gift at plus-money in the early Hart odds, but you do have to consider the possibility of injury. His teammate Leon Drasiatil also seems destined for a monstrous 2023-24 regular season after dominating in the 2023 NHL Playoffs.

We can’t tell you not to bet on the best player in the world to win the Hart, but we’ll give you another player with even better value. Toronto Maple Leafs’ superstar Auston Matthews is sitting at +1600 after an underwhelming (by his standards) 2022-23 season with 40 goals and 45 assists.

Matthews was hampered by a hand injury in 2022-23 and is about to enter a contract year in Toronto. He nudged out Mcdavid in the Hart race just one year ago, and is certainly capable of doing it again in the prime of his career. His +1600 odds are simply too good to pass up.

• Best Early Value: Auston Matthews (+1600)

2024 Vezina Trophy Odds

The post 2024 NHL Awards – Opening Odds & Early Value for Hart, Norris & Vezina Trophy appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 2023 NHL Draft comes to Nashville, Tennessee this week as the third part of a “sports trifecta” of sorts. NASCAR invaded the suburbs over the weekend with the NHL Awards on Monday night. Now, the draft takes center stage over two days. Will there be trades and further intrigue to go along with the usual reaches?

Wednesday night features Round 1 on network television but do not worry. Streamers can watch online via ESPN+ both days. Day two begins at 11:00am ET and can be found on NHL Network as well. In Canada, Sportsnet will carry the English feed with TVA Sports on the French side of things.

Again, Connor Bedard has no odds available because he has been expected to go number one for months and months. What props and bets do we have in mind for Round 1 and beyond? That is the fun part. Let’s dig in!

2023 NHL Draft #5 Pick Odds

The odds to be the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft see Ryan Leonard and David Reinbacher as the co-favorites at +170.

Now, the Montreal Canadiens possess the fifth selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Some believe that after the first two picks, the draft could veer in a number of different directions. However, this spot may be a pivot point in of itself.

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Odds as of June 27th at DraftKings. Claim the DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to bet on the NHL Draft.

Could It Be Matvei Michkov At Number Five?

The uncertainty on when the Russian forward gets taken is polarizing. Michkov could very well be the second-best player in this draft. Now, that is in terms of pure talent. The debate will rage for months if not years on that one. However, the 18-year-old possesses clear talent.

Hearing #GoHabsGo are one of the teams scheduled to meet with Matvei Michkov early this week in Nashville.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2023

Though he is probably two or three years away, Michkov could sneak on the right roster in a year or so. So, teams have to weigh the risk of whether they can wait for the forward. Montreal, Arizona, and a few others are at least exploring the notion of drafting Michkov.

Which team makes the most sense? Honestly, it feels more and more this is a pick Montreal could make. Michkov could be one of the future solutions for a team that is woeful on the power play. The betting percentages are with Michkov and the Montreal Canadiens at +275.

• Pick: Matvei Michkov to be Fifth Selection (+275)

2023 NHL Draft Position Odds

NHL Draft Position Analysis

These are always the props that get tougher and tougher to gauge. This is because all it takes is a trade or two and someone goes tumbling down the draft board. Fallers never fail to amaze along with those dreaded reaches. It is why gauging draft position is truly a challenging guessing game.

David Reinbacher is a name on many lists and his stock keeps rising. Reinbacher is a lock to be the first defenseman chosen in this year’s draft. The only question now is where in the top ten does he wind up? Now, the rationale is he could end up with Montreal possibly but more likely Arizona.

David Reinbacher is a defenseman with EHC Kloten.

He moved from Austria to Switzerland at age 14 to advance his career. Away from the ice he likes to read & does recruitment for companies in Switzerland as part of his curriculum at school. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/5RfHhHNTXV

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 20, 2023

After that, there is the question of whether Zach Benson could go eighth. This makes that +200 for the Under look juicy. It’s quite a risk but that reward is tangible. He’s certainly not a name to sleep on in the Calder Trophy odds.

Oliver Moore is one of the biggest coin flips of the opening round. Moore could go around the top ten but could drop out of the top twenty potentially. This boils down to team and fit. Moore is one of those players who may drop easier than rise at this point.

• Prediction: Oliver Moore Over 14.5 (-115)

First To Be Drafted Odds

Head-to-head draft matchups on DraftKings allow you to bet on which player you believe will be selected first.

Head-to-Head Draft Position Predictions

Now, this looks like something straight out of a duel. Calum Ritchie might be a reach for a team in the teens. Again, this is about finding value. Then there is that epic Simashev versus Honzek battle. Honestly, Dmitri Simashev could sneak up a few draft boards. If his number gets back to Even or even slightly plus, then make that wager.

Our best bet for the NHL Draft head-to-head odds, though, is to take Calum Ritchie at +150 vs Braden Yager. Expect a lot of unexpected this year and do count on a number of trades on Wednesday and even Thursday, which could shake up the Stanley Cup odds.

• Best Bet: Calum Ritchie to be Drafted Before Braden Yager (+150)

The post 2023 NHL Draft Odds, Predictions & Props to Bet appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A busy week in the NHL begins on Monday, June 26th when hockey goes country with the NHL Awards taking place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Coverage for the event begins at 8:00 pm ET and can be seen on TNT in the U.S. and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

Country music superstar, Dierks Bentley hosts the celebration of the league’s best regular season performances along with a number of other artists participating, including Trisha Yearwood and Jesse James Decker. WWE Superstar Sheamus and a list of others are scheduled to be presenters including Willie O’Ree and Mark Messier.

Below, we provide you with the NHL Awards odds the last time sportsbooks made them available to the public. We’re looking at the odds for four of the major pieces of hardware to be handed out on Monday night. We’ll also provide some analysis leading to our picks to take home each specific trophy.

McDavid Heavily Expected to Win 3rd Hart Trophy

No other award is as much of a slam dunk than who will be awarded regular season MVP and the Hart Trophy odds last posted by FanDuel on April 1st of this year reflect that.

Hart Trophy Odds

Odds as of April 1st at FanDuel. Click here to unlock this FanDuel promo code before the NHL Awards begin.

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The Oilers captain has already captured league MVP honors twice, but this season he took his game to another level. Hitting the 150-point mark, he joined a unique club becoming just the 6th player to reach that plateau and first since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.

A summit only six players have ever reached — Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) hit historic heights tonight with point No. 150. 🏔 pic.twitter.com/sTXev6gUB3

— NHL (@NHL) April 8, 2023

In spite of David Pastrnak scoring over 60 goals and Matthew Tkachuk leading the Panthers to a playoff spot with his late-season scoring exploits, there is no doubt, that McDavid will win the Hart and it would be a shock if the voting wasn’t unanimous.

• Pick: Connor McDavid (-9000)

Linus Ullmark Favorite in Vezina Trophy Odds Following Historic Season

Part of the reason the Bruins set an NHL record for most points in a season was due to the terrific play of their goaltender, Linus Ullmark. In just his second season with the squad, Ullmark led NHL netminders in wins, goals-against average and save percentage, giving him the edge in the Vezina Trophy odds.

Vezina Trophy Odds

Odds as of March 31st at DraftKings Sportsbook, see the latest DraftKings promo code. 

Unlike the three other awards we’re breaking down here, the voting for the winner of this trophy is done by the 32 NHL General Managers, not the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

While Hellebuyck’s numbers don’t compare to Ullmark, and aren’t quite at Sorokin’s level either, he accounted for over 80% of the Jets victories, more than the other two candidates. Without Hellebuyck, the Jets likely wouldn’t have even made the playoffs and as the biggest underdog for this award, he’s worth taking a flier on.

• Pick: Connor Hellebuyck (+1500)

Rejuvenated Karlsson Has Upper Hand in Norris Trophy Odds

Although his team was basically competing in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes all year, Erik Karlsson delivered a historic 100-point season, garnering him chalk status in the Norris Trophy odds. For the first time in over 30 years, a blueliner hit the century mark and that can’t be dismissed.

Norris Trophy Odds

Odds as of April 13th at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Last year’s winner, Cale Makar, missed over 20 games, so it’s a bit of a surprise he’s even up for this trophy.

That only leaves Adam Fox as Karlsson’s competition. Ironically, in 2021, Fox became the first Norris Trophy winner on a non-playoff team since the award’s inception in 1954. While he was outstanding this past campaign, and is much better in his own end than Karlsson, the Swede’s incredible offensive output is just too hard to ignore.

Most takeaways + blocks by the top 5 Norris candidates:

Adam Fox – 211

{Gap}

Rasmus Dahlin – 174
Erik Karlsson – 167
Josh Morrissey – 155
Cale Makar – 128

"The Norris Trophy is an annual award given to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest ALL-AROUND ABILITY" pic.twitter.com/Fu3FqWlK7g

— RangersMuse (@nyrangersmuse) April 13, 2023

• Pick: Erik Karlsson (-450)

Beniers Favored in Calder Trophy Odds

Playing a pivotal role in helping propel the second-year Kraken to the postseason, Matty Beniers owns the shortest Calder Trophy odds. He led all freshmen in goals, points and plus/minus while playing over 17 minutes a night.

Calder Trophy Odds

Odds as of April 3rd at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Interestingly enough, the three nominees for Rookie of the Year all play different positions. While Stuart Skinner was a blessing for the Oilers early in the season after free agent addition, Jack Campbell, proved disastrous in goal, his numbers don’t stand out enough to make him a serious threat.

Towering rearguard Owen Power was solid if not spectacular this year, playing a big part in the Sabres’ resurgence, contributing 35 points and playing almost 24 minutes a night. If you want to roll the dice, you can win some nice cash by wagering on Power, but our prediction is that Beniers takes home the hardware.

• Pick: Matty Beniers (-650)

The post 2023 NHL Awards Odds, Predictions & How to Watch appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

2024 Stanley Cup odds have already been released following the conclusion of the 2022-23 NHL season on Tuesday night. While the Vegas Golden Knights captured their first-ever NHL Championships, the odds aren’t in favor of them repeating next year.

The early 2024 Stanley Cup odds price the Colorado Avalanche as favorites over the rest of the league. Two Canadian teams round out the top-three, while five other teams are in a tie for fourth place in the betting odds.

Let’s take a look at the opening Stanley Cup odds for 2024 and identify any teams that may be mispriced.

Stanley Cup Odds 2024

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Odds as of June 13th, 2023 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Grab a FanDuel promo code to make an early Stanley Cup wager. 

Avs Favored in Opening 2024 Cup Odds

The opening Stanley Cup odds for 2024 see the Colorado Avalanche priced as +800 favorites over the rest of the league. Jared Bednar’s team is just a year removed from their dominant Stanley Cup run in 2021-22 that saw them post a 16-4-0 record during the postseason.

The Avalanche suffered a shocking upset to the Seattle Kraken in Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Playoffs, but oddsmakers are projecting this talented team to bounce back. Colorado was decimated by the injury bug in 2022-23, losing a total of 463 man-games to injury during the regular season.

Led by Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, the Avs are certainly capable of bouncing back and making a deeper run in 2024. There are question marks, however, as captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss the entire 2023-24 season due to knee surgery, while Val Nichushkin’s situation is up in the air.

Nicvhushkin is a very important member of the team, but he missed Colorado’s final four games of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. The Avs also haven’t found a true No. 2 center to replace Nazem Kadri and play behind MacKinnon. Perhaps the team will correct this issue via trade or free agency, but it’s not definite.

There are simply too many unknowns with Colorado to place an early 2024 Stanley Cup wager on them. Oddsmakers aren’t fully sold either, as they are listing the Avs as the +800 favorite whereas a more certain Stanley Cup favorite typically opens in the +500 range.

Overvalued/ Undervalued Teams in Cup Odds 

There are many interesting prices in the odds to win the Stanley Cup 2024. One team that of course sticks out is the reigning champ Vegas at +1300. The Golden Knights will have a very similar team to the one they iced in 2022-23, and there have already been two repeat Cup winners this decade.

Speaking of expansion clubs, the Seattle Kraken at +5000 seems mispriced. Seattle finished with an impressive 100 points in their second season and benefit from playing in the weak Pacific Division. It’s likely Dave Hakstol’s team takes another step forward in year three considering they’re projected to have $20 million in cap space to work with this summer.

The start of something special.

Take a look back at the 2022-23 #SeaKraken season & relive all the memories & accomplishments → https://t.co/zu9Db6rpO5 pic.twitter.com/bFhHLUUv8I

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) May 19, 2023

When it comes to overvalued teams, the Bruins and Lightning both sitting in the top-five seem like fool’s gold. Tampa Bay’s core players are aging, and the lack of supporting depth proved costly against Toronto this year. Of course, any team with Andrei is going to have a chance, but the Bolts’ window is closing fast (if not closed already).

Boston, on the other hand, could see some key departures this offseason following their shocking upset loss to the Florida Panthers in Round 1 of the playoffs. Veteran captain Patrice Bergeron considered retirement last year but returned for what was assumed to be one final run. If Bergeron doesn’t return, second-line center David Krejci is also expected to depart the team.

The post Opening 2024 Stanley Cup Odds for all 32 Teams appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Vegas Golden Knights look to claim their first-ever Stanley Cup championship with a win on Tuesday, when they play host to the Florida Panthers in game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Golden Knights return home after hanging on for a 3-2 victory in Florida on Saturday night to claim a 3-1 series lead. Now teetering on the brink of elimination, the Panthers must find a way to rekindle their offense after scoring just nine total goals through the first four games of the series.

Start time for Game 2 is set for 8:00pm ET on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, with all the action televised on TNT and Sportsnet.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 5 Odds

The Golden Knights are pegged as -165 home favorites in the NHL odds as they look to clinch their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history with a Game 5 win. The Panthers are listed as +140 underdogs as they seek to extend the series, and the total is set at 6.0, with -120 odds favoring the UNDER.

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Panthers vs Golden Knights Recent History

With Saturday’s victory, the Golden Knights improved to 8-3 SU in their past 11 overall dates with the Panthers. They also remain unbeaten in seven all-time meetings with Florida on home ice at T-Mobile Arena. While goals came at a premium for both these clubs in Games 3 and 4 at FLA Live Arena, the Golden Knights filled the net in the first two games of the series on home ice, outscoring the Panthers by an overall 12-4 margin.

The Golden Knights sport an 8-3 record at home so far in these playoffs, and have avoided consecutive defeats while winning 20 of 26 home contests since January 19. The Panthers saw an epic eight-game win streak on the road snapped with their two losses in Vegas earlier in the series, but have avoided losing three in a row on the road in 33 overall road contests so far in 2023.

Florida Panthers Betting Outlook

It was once again a case of too little, too late for the Panthers in Game 4 on Saturday night. Florida spotted the Golden Knights a 3-0 lead before battling back to make it a game with two goals in the final 24 minutes. Overall, the Panthers have been outscored by a 5-2 margin in first-period action so far in the series, and have scored just four total goals through the first 40 minutes.

Brandon Montour charges into the crease after Vegas secures the win all HELL breaks loose 🥊 pic.twitter.com/R7zQSg8Lfo

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 11, 2023

Brandon Montour has snapped a 10-game pointless streak with two goals and an assist in the past two games, but could be in for some special treatment from the refs after setting off some fisticuffs at the conclusion of Game 4. Matthew Tkachuk continues to lead the club with 24 points, but has been held off the scoresheet twice so far in the series.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Outlook

Chandler Stephenson emerged as the hero of Game 4 by potting the first two goals of the game to increase his total to 10 so far in the postseason, and he has now recorded multiple points in two of the past three games.

Jonathan Marchessault has also continued to feast on his former Panthers teammates. With an assist on William Karlsson’s game winner on Saturday night, Marchessault now has eight goals and 14 points during his current nine-game points streak including four goals and seven points in the series.

JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT JUST KEEPS SCORING 😳

His 13th goal of the postseason, all coming in his last 13 games! pic.twitter.com/0OT1etuf1D

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 9, 2023

Adin Hill continues to impress in the Vegas crease. The Golden Knights netminder has compiled an impressive .925 save percentage so far in the series, and offers value as a -125 props bet to make at least 28.5 saves in Game 5.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 5 Prediction

Slow starts, a sputtering attack, and an inability to intimidate the Golden Knights have all worked against the Panthers in their return to the Stanley Cup Final.

While no one should discount the possibility of netminder Sergei Bobrovsky stealing a win for Florida, the Panthers’ offensive struggles add to the value of Vegas’ odds to raise the Cup on Tuesday night.

The Pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+160); UNDER 6 (-120); Jonathan Marchessault Last Scorer (+850)

The post Game 5 Panthers vs Golden Knights Odds, Pick & Prediction (June 13) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Florida Panthers have made the 2023 Stanley Cup Final a series. With the best-of-seven now 2-1 in favor of Vegas, Game 4 is set for Saturday night at FLA Live Arena. Sportsbooks have released a plethora of NHL player props for this pivotal matchup.

We’ve identified a couple of Golden Knights vs Panthers player props that carry great value for Saturday’s Game 4. Among them is a play on VGK forward William Karlsson, who is being offered at plus-money odds to record a single point.

The table below displays the available player props for Game 4 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Under the table, find the top picks along with analysis.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 4 Player Props

In the Saturday NHL player props, there is no odds-on favorite to find the back of the net. Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk has the best odds to score at +135, while also boasting the highest over/under points total at 1.5.

The Panthers are priced as -120 favorites over the Golden Knights in the Game 4 odds, with the game total offered at 5.5. The puck will drop at 8:00 PM EST on TNT.

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Pick #1 William Karlsson Over 0.5 Points

Following an overtime loss in Game 3, the Golden Knights are likely to respond in a big way Saturday. After all, there’s only been one instance all postseason in which Vegas hasn’t followed up a loss with a victory. That’s part of the reason we like targeting one of their top players in the NHL player props.

William Karlsson has had a fairly quiet Stanley Cup Final so far (two assists), but it’s only a matter of time before he makes his mark on this series. The 30-year-old is among the league leaders with 10 goals and 15 points in 20 postseason contests this spring.

FanDuel is offering +100 odds (50% implied chance) for Karlsson to record at least one point Saturday. That’s pretty strong value considering the ex-Blue Jacket is almost at a point-per-game pace this postseason. Furthermore, he’s generated seven individual scoring chances in the Final, according to advanced analytics.

Karlsson has been getting his chances, and his line with Reilly Smith and Michael Amadio has been Vegas’ best possession line through three contests (56 CF%). It’s always a challenge playing on the road, but half of Karlsson’s 10 goals this postseason have come away from T-Mobile Arena.

Pick: William Karlsson Over 0.5 Points (+100)

Pick #2: Sam Bennett Over 3.5 Shots on Goal

While our model has Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 4 going in favor of the visitors, it still projects Florida to fill the back of the net at least three times. One of the best player props based on the analytics and trends is the “over” on Sam Bennett’s shots on goal.

Bennett has been a beast for Florida so far in the Cup Final, recording a team-high 25 shot attempts and generating 12 individual scoring chances (also a team high). Bennett’s shots on goal player prop for Game 4 is only set at 3.5, which is a number he’s surpassed in three of his past four outings.

"It was pretty incredible… That was one of the best crowds I've ever played in front of. It was a lot of fun last night."

Sam Bennett and the @FlaPanthers were having a good time in Game 3. @JamieHersch | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/TA7Pa2xKMe

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 9, 2023

Vegas has been the best team on paper through the first three games, but Bennett’s line with Matthew Tkachuk has been tough to handle. The Benett-Tkachuk-Cousins trio have a 57.78 CF% at 5-on-5, meaning they are generating substantially more scoring chances than the lines they are matched up against.

Bennett has recorded 66 shots on goal in 18 playoff games this season, which puts him at a 3.67 shots per game average. With Florida facing another virtual must-win situation and Bennett seeing top minutes alongside Tkachuk (both EV & PP), we recommend targeting the “over” on his SOG prop.

Pick: Sam Bennett Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-102)

The post Golden Knights vs Panthers Player Props to Bet for Saturday (June 10) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Late in the third period of the Panthers Game 3 against Vegas on Thursday, it looked like their Stanley Cup hopes were on life support. The Cats were down a goal, but the clutch Matthew Tkachuk tied the game up with 2:13 remaining. Then, Carter Verhaeghe sniped the OT winner to give the Panthers their first win of the series. The team is an impressive 7-0 past regulation this postseason, and they needed that to avoid going down 3-0.

Vegas began this series as -125 favorites to capture their first Cup, with Florida +105 to win it all. Now, with the Knights up 2-1, they’re -260, with their counterparts +210 underdogs. Read on for Golden Knights vs Panthers analysis.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 4 Odds

Vegas was +1200 to win the Stanley Cup when the postseason began, with the Cats a much longer shot at +2500. The Panthers are the -120 favorites in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00pm ET at T-Mobile Arena in FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida with TNT broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights were on the verge of a 3-0 stranglehold on the Stanley Cup Final before a late Panthers goal tied it and OT winner sent the Florida faithful home happy. It wasn’t for a lack of effort on the power play. In the Cup Final, Vegas has taken advantage of Florida’s undiscipline penalties, going 6/17 on the power play, registering two goals in all three duels.

Jonathan Marchessault had a meager start to the postseason with just two assists through seven games – since then, he’s been on a monster tear, with 13 goals and eight assists in his last 13 tilts to be the -110 favorite in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds.

Make it a @GoldenKnights-record eight straight games with a point and counting for Jonathan Marchessault. 👀 #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/eLi1EzhhUq pic.twitter.com/bk3HaycIU4

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 9, 2023

The Golden Knights scored just twice in Game 3. They’re 12-2 in their last 14 after lighting the lamp twice or less in their previous game. They’re 6-1 in their last seven when their opponent allows two goals or less in their previous game.

Florida Panthers Betting Analysis

Where would the Florida Panthers be without their two stars in goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and power forward Matthew Tkachuk? After two subpar outings, Bob rebounded in Game 3, making critical saves to backstop his squad before Carter Verhaeghe scored the OT winner.

Matthew Tkachuk’s playoff heroics can’t be understated. He’s scored three OT winners, and in Game 3, scored late in the third stanza to send this to overtime. He’s the second choice to win the Conn Smythe at +350. Unlike Vegas, who has been firing on all cylinders on the PP, Florida hasn’t – they’re 0/12 with the extra man in the Final.

Matthew Tkachuk is now tied for the League lead with 24 points this postseason and can become the first player in @FlaPanthers history to lead the NHL in points in one playoff year. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/eLi1EzhhUq pic.twitter.com/N0IENo1n5K

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 9, 2023

The Panthers are 11-1 in their last twelve when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous contest. However, they’re 1-4 in their last five as a favorite of -110 to -150.

Vegas vs Florida Recent Results

The first two games of this series were beatdowns by Vegas on home ice, as they took them 5-2 and 7-2. After the over-goal total hit in those battles, the under-total was registered in Game 3 with Florida taking it 3-2 in Sunrise.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Pick & Prediction

Bettors believe that Vegas will take a 3-1 series edge, with 53% of moneyline bets placed on them thus far. That’s despite the implied win probability being in the Panthers’ favor 51.9-48.1%. Our model has this Golden Knights vs Panthers game going the road team’s way 3.65-3.41.

The under is 8-1 in Panthers’ last nine when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous game.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Same-Game Parlay Picks

Vegas has been far superior on special teams in this series, and the goaltending battle is pretty even otherwise, statistically this postseason. They were mere minutes away from taking a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final, so selecting Vegas at plus money is intriguing.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (+105), Under 5.5 Goals (+100)

The post Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 4 Prediction, Odds & Same-Game Parlay appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Did the clock strike midnight on Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers? Through two games of the Stanley Cup Final, it certainly appears that way, with Vegas dominating Game 2 en route to a 2-0 series advantage. Game 3 goes down in Florida on Thursday, June 8th with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.

The Panthers kept pace in Game 1, but their physicality may have gotten the best of them in a second game that never was really close as the Golden Knights coasted their way to a 7-2 win. You can watch the crucial third game of this series on TNT, TruTV, CBC and Sportsnet.

If the Panthers can’t manage a win on Thursday, then it’s almost a guarantee Vegas will be the last team standing in the NHL Playoff Bracket. Below, you can find the Golden Knights vs Panthers odds for Game 3, as well as our best bet and picks.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 3 Odds

For only the second time this entire postseason, the Panthers are favorites, with -120 moneyline odds to take Game 3 and actually make a series of this final.

After going under the betting line in eight straight games, the Panthers have now gone above the total in three consecutive contests. The total for Game 3 is set at six goals, a number that Vegas surpassed on their own in their last meeting, when they chased Sergei Bobrovsky from goal.

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Vegas Depth Too Much To Handle

While Florida may have the more high-end superstars up front in Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, the Golden Knights are showing that they have no problem rolling out any of their four lines or three defense pairs at any moment. That’s an advantage that’s proven immeasurable in these playoffs and this series.

Five players amongst the top 11 in postseason scoring come from this Vegas squad and when this Stanley Cup Final is all said and done, it’s likely the top 10 will be dominated by players from Sin City.

Golden Knights' balanced scoring key against Panthers in Cup Finalhttps://t.co/A8KmsOuq0R

— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) June 7, 2023

Jack Eichel leads the way in points with 22, and displayed his toughness and leadership coming back for the third period in the previous contest after taking a huge hit from Tkachuk in the middle frame.

When it comes to putting the puck in the net, Jonathan Marchessault is the main talisman with 12, and if he keeps up his red-hot pace, he’ll end up as the leader in goals these playoffs, as he needs just two more to leapfrog Leon Draisaitl.

Can Bobrovsky Bounce Back?

Following two rounds where he singlehandedly seemed to be winning games, Florida’s netminder has come back down to Earth with a resounding thud.

Sergei Bobrovsky Stanley Cup Final Stats

Through the first three rounds, “Bob” has 19.7 goals saved above expected, basically stealing a goal and a half away from opponents in every game he played. Simply phenomenal numbers. In the Stanley Cup Final though, his goals saved above expected comes in at -2.4 as he seems to have lost his mojo.

All the blame can’t be put on his shoulders though. While the Panthers have used their aggressiveness and rough play to bury past opponents, that edge seems to have gotten the better of them against the Golden Knights.

Vegas has outscored Florida 12-4 through two games. FLA has 9 misconducts & 4 goals. Here's the updated misconduct list:

Tkachuk: 3
Bennett: 1
Gudas: 1
Fitzgerald: 1
Duclair: 1
Cousins: 1
Reinhart: 1
Stephenson: 1
Barbashev: 1
Kolesar: 1
Whitecloud: 1
Smith: 1#VegasBorn https://t.co/RyT92uRfou

— Knights On Ice (@knightsonice) June 6, 2023

It would be wise for the Panthers to avoid the sin bin as much as possible. The Golden Knights are 9-0 this postseason when scoring a power play goal. Down two games, Florida’s Stanley Cup odds have lengthened from +105 to +425, and without a win in Game 3, there is likely no coming back.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Game 3 Prediction

So far, the NHL public betting trends are showing a 50-50 split on bets as to who will win Game 3, but Vegas is receiving 68% of the moneyline handle. More aggressively, the public is loving the over with only 2% of the bets picking the game to have under six goals.

In the first round against the record-setting Bruins, the Panthers proved resilient, coming back from a three games to one deficit to win that series, so you can understand why they’ve been given chalk status in the NHL odds back at home for this one.

They might be able to steal one, but Vegas blew them out of the water and took the wind out of their sails last game. With Bobrovsky’s confidence shaken, our prediction is that the Golden Knights push the Cats to the brink of elimination.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (+100); Over 6 Goals (-110)

The post Game 3 Golden Knights vs Panthers Odds, Spread & Prediction (June 8) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Florida Panthers will try to avoid losing two in a row since the first round of this year’s NHL playoffs when they return to action against the Vergas Golden Knights on Monday in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers saw a five-game win streak snapped by Saturday’s 5-2 loss in Vegas that leaves them trailing 1-0 in the series. With the Game 1 victory, the Golden Knights have now posted three straight series-opening wins while improving to 7-3 in 10 postseason home dates this spring.

Start time for Game 2 is set for 8:00pm ET on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena, with all the action televised on TNT and Sportsnet.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 2 Odds

The Golden Knights are -140 favorites in the NHL odds, while the Panthers lag as +120 underdogs. The total is pegged at 6.0, with the OVER shortened to a -120 bet.

After drawing first blood on Saturday night, Vegas has improved to -225 chalk in the NHL playoff series prices, while the Panthers have tumbled to +175 longshots.

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Panthers vs Golden Knights Recent History

The Golden Knights are now unbeaten in six all-time home dates with Florida, with five of those wins coming by multi-goal margins. The Golden Knights have also scored an average of five goals per game during that stretch, powering a 5-1 run for the OVER when these teams clash in Sin City.

Florida’s series-opening defeat also snapped an eight-game road win streak. However, the Panthers have avoided consecutive losses on the road in 14 away contests since late March.

Florida Panthers Betting Trends

For the third time in as many games, the Panthers drew first blood, with Eric Staal opening the scoring with a shorthanded goal. However, the club could not capitalize on a fast start despite enjoying a fast start and limiting the Golden Knights to just three shots through the first 16 minutes. However, as the momentum shifted in Vegas’ favor, Sergei Bobrovsky was not there to bail them out.

Sergei Bobrovsky did not look like himself in Game 1.

Is there any reason to be concerned about his play? @EJHradek_NHL | @BJaffe | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/pwOW8GJNow

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 4, 2023

A leading candidate to claim Conn Smythe Trophy honors, Bobrovsky held the fort until allowing a soft third-period goal that all but sealed the win. The Panthers’ attempts at intimidation, a hallmark of this playoff run, also fell short as the Golden Knights failed to take the bait. That is not good news for a club that has scored two or fewer goals in four of seven contests and seen four of their past nine goals come on the power play.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Outlook

With a little help from his goalposts and one particular save that will be featured on highlight reels for years to come, goaltender Adin Hill held off the Panthers long enough for Vegas to seize control and set the pace over the second half of the contest.

Hill has now allowed just nine total goals over the past five games, and in addition to joining the race in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds as a +800 bet, his performance adds value to the Golden Knights’ +120 odds of winning the race to three goals on Monday night.

ADIN HILL WITH THE GREATEST PADDLIN’ OF ALL TIME pic.twitter.com/nC1UhmaA4W

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) June 4, 2023

Singled out for special treatment by Panthers bad boys Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, Mark Stone excelled in Game 1, racking up seven shots on goal while snapping a four-game pointless streak with a third-period goal that iced the win. Overall, Stone has now scored in six of his past nine home appearances and should not be overlooked as a +180 bet in the NHL player props as an anytime scorer on Monday.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 2 Prediction

Unable to solve Adin Hill, and failing in their bid to intimidate the Golden Knights, the Panthers are going to need Sergei Bobrovsky to return to the form that got this team to the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida also needs captain Aleksander Barkov to shake off a three-game drought and payout as a +195 wager to bulge the twine if they are to even the series against the increasingly comfortable Golden Knights.

The Pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+180); UNDER 6 (-120); Mark Stone Anytime Goalscorer (+180)

The post Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 2 Prediction, Odds & Props (June 5) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Player props are live for Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. There’s plenty of value on the board as oddsmakers try to get a feel on how this series will play out.

We’ve identified two of our strongest NHL player props for Game 1, including a play on Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault. Our other top pick is on a goalie who has emerged as the Conn Smythe Trophy favorite.

The table below displays the main player props available for Game 1 of Panthers vs Knights. Under the table, find my favorite picks, along with analysis.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 1 Player Props

In the Game 1 Panthers vs Golden Knights player props, there is no odds-on favorite to find the back of the net. Vegas’ Jack Eichel has the best odds to score at +155, while Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk is listed with the highest over/under points total at 1.5.

In the Florida vs Vegas Game 1 odds, the Golden Knights are priced as -135 favorites to take the opening game of the series. The game total is only set at 5.5, with oddsmakers projecting the goalies to frustrate the shooters.

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Pick #1: Jonathan Marchessault Anytime Goalscorer

Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault has been red-hot in the NHL Playoffs, and we’re projecting him to keep rolling again his former team in the Cup Final. Marchessault scored a goal in four of the last five games against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, collecting two assists in the game he didn’t find twine.

Vegas has scored at least four goals in each of their past two Game 1’s in these playoffs, so betting on their hottest player to score at +185 odds is great value. Although Marchessault has potted seven goals in his last seven games dating back to Round 2, oddsmakers are only giving him a 35.09% chance to light the lamp Saturday.

WHO ELSE BUT JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT?!?!?!?!?!?

2-1!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/hckk3Wscgk

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 26, 2023

One interesting tidbit that might scare away bettors is the fact Marchessault has scored eight of his nine playoff goals this year away from home. During the regular season, however, he scored slightly more goals at home than on the road, so this is something we expect to balance out during the course of the Cup Final.

The best thing about betting on a player like Marchessault to score is his shot volume. The 32-year-old currently leads all NHL players in the postseason with 62 shots on goal (3.64/ GP). The chances will be there for Marchessault, and the ex-Panther has the confidence and finishing ability to capitalize.

• Pick: Jonathan Marchessault Anytime Goalscorer (+185)

Pick #2: Sergei Bobrovsky Over 29.5 Saves

There is one man primarily responsible for Florida’s success in the 2023 NHL Playoffs: goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The former Vezina winner has largely carried the team to the Final, sporting an 11-2-0 record with a .935 save percentage and 2.21 GAA.

FanDuel is listing Bobrovsky with a 29.5 total saves over/under in Game 1, which would be a breather for Bob if the projection comes to fruition. In Bobrovsky’s last five games, the Russian netminder has averaged 45.2 saves per game. Take out the quadruple-overtime game, and that number still sits at 40.25.

Sportsbooks are listing a lower number for Game 1 of the Final in part because Vegas isn’t an overly dynamic offensive team. VGK has averaged 30 shots per game this postseason, which places them in the bottom half of the league. The Panthers, however, are allowing a league-worst 37.3 shots per contest.

Vegas hasn’t put up strong shot totals against elite defensive teams, but facing weaker defensive clubs like Winnipeg, they’ve put up shot totals in the 40-range. Furthermore, in five all-time meetings between the Knights and Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, the Knights have averaged 38.2 shots per contest.

• Pick: Sergei Bobrovsky Over 29.5 Saves (-104)

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The post Panthers vs Golden Knights Player Props for Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Saturday evening, two franchises who are searching for the first Stanley Cup title square off with the Panthers taking on the Golden Knights. Florida is back in the Final after last making it in 1996 (swept by Colorado). Vegas is in their second one in six seasons of existence, having lost to the Capitals in their inaugural campaign.

Vegas begins this series as -125 favorites to capture their first Cup, with Florida +105 to win it all. Read on for Panthers vs Golden Knights analysis.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Game 1 Odds

Vegas was +1200 to win the Stanley Cup when the postseason began, with the Cats a much longer shot at +2500. The Knights are the -135 favorites in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00pm ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with TNT broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Florida Panthers Betting Analysis

The Florida Panthers have run through a gauntlet of teams to make the Stanley Cup Final. They roared back from a 3-1 deficit in Round 1 against Boston, which had the best regular season ever. Then they dispatched the Maple Leafs in 5 games in the second round, and swept the Hurricanes in the East Finals. Those were three of the top four squads in hockey, which is no small feat.

Sergei Bobrovsky has been incredible in net, with a .935 save percentage, allowing just six markers in the four-game sweep. Subsequently, he’s the favorite in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds.

Both Sergei Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk have strong cases for the Conn Smythe 🤔

(@asgrimson and @dallaseakins vote Bob tho)@TonyLuftman | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/p2kftxGVaX

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 31, 2023

Matthew Tkachuk has been otherworldly, scoring the first two winning goals of the series past regulation, assisting on the 1-0 winner in Game 3, then scoring the series clincher late in the third period to oust the Hurricanes.

After dropping their first road contest, the Panthers have reeled off eight straight victories away from home. They’ve also taken all six affairs going into overtime this postseason. The club has won their last six when their opponent allows two goals or less in their previous game.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

Somewhat surprisingly, Vegas’ unheralded goaltender Adin Hill actually has a higher save percentage than Bobrovsky, with a sparkling .937 clip. He spelled an injured Laurent Brossoit in Round 2 against Edmonton and hasn’t looked back. Hill has two shutouts in his last four times hitting the ice, including the Western Finals series clincher against Dallas.

Vegas is playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in six seasons of existence. In their inaugural season, they won Game 1 against Washington, only to drop the final four duels. They’ve had balanced scoring, with their top-six point-getters recording between 14 and 18 points.

Vegas Golden Knights are the 3rd team to reach the Stanley Cup Final multiple times within their first 6 NHL seasons in the expansion era (since 1967-68). pic.twitter.com/jWxNmoZfCM

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 30, 2023

The Golden Knights have won their last four against the East. This season, each team won one meeting each, with the Knights taking five of the last seven skirmishes.

Florida vs Vegas Recent Results

Vegas has made the final by winning each series in 5, 6 and 6 battles, while Florida has won in 7, 5 and 4.

Panthers vs Golden Knights Pick & Prediction

Bettors believe that Vegas will draw first blood, with 76% of moneyline bets placed on them thus far. That’s an implied win probability of 54.3%. Our model has this Panthers vs Golden Knights game going the home team’s way 3.65-3.41.

Of note, in ten all-time battles, a puck line winner has been secured in seven instances. Florida’s road record has been exceptional and they come in on a ten-day break. The under is 7-0 in the Panthers’ last seven as an underdog.

Even though Adin Hill’s numbers have been slightly better than Sergei Bobrovsky’s, Bob has been standing on his head and has earned being Conn Smythe favorite for a reason. It’s a toss-up, so grabbing the value on the underdog is enticing.

Pick: Florida Panthers Moneyline (+105), Under 5.5 Goals (-105)

The post Game 1 Panthers vs Golden Knights Odds, Spread & Picks (June 3) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Who would’ve predicted that the last two teams standing in the NHL Playoff bracket would be the Panthers and the Golden Knights when the postseason began? Probably nobody, but one of those teams will lift Lord Stanley’s Cup as the series begins in Sin City on Saturday, June 3rd.

It’s almost unfathomable to comprehend the heater that the Panthers are on. They are 11-1 in their last 12 playoff games, with six of those victories having come in overtime as they disposed of the first, second and fourth-best regular season teams.

Actually, the fourth-best regular season team, the Maple Leafs, were tied for that position with the team Florida is facing in the final, the Vegas Golden Knights. Below, we analyze the matchup before giving our Stanley Cup Final prediction as well as featuring the best bets and our pick to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Series Odds

Since Vegas eliminated the Stars and the opening Stanley Cup odds for this series came out, the Panthers odds have shortened ever so slightly, indicating the public is hedging on the Cats to continue their improbable run.

For Vegas, this is their second Cup final in just their sixth year of existence. They had a Cinderella story run to the finals as an expansion team in 2018, but ultimately fell four games to one, to Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

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Panthers vs Golden Knights Matchup and Playoff Trends

Florida has used clutch scoring, the leadership of Matthew Tkachuk, physicality and out-of-this-world goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky to get to the position they are in now.

The final chapter. pic.twitter.com/Nyn2DFT5Qb

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 30, 2023

While the Panthers are 11-1 in their last 12, they’ve been far from dominant. Nine of those 11 wins have come by a single goal, and during that span, they are a perfect 6-0 in overtime. Some of that is obviously them being the better team, but luck also plays a major factor when considering that record in the extra session.

They’ve also been incredible on the road in the playoffs, with an outstanding 8-1 mark outside of Florida. However, as revealed in our Stanley Cup Final opening odds piece, the Panthers have never won at T-Mobile Arena, sporting a franchise 0-5 mark in Vegas.

Vegas All-Time Home Results vs Florida

They’ll need at least one victory in Nevada if they hope to lift the big silver mug in June.

Both teams come into this series without any serious injuries, although Vegas has gone through the goalie carousel like nobody’s business this campaign, yet still somehow find themselves in pole position to win it all.

Robin Lehner went down before the season even started. Logan Thompson, who became the number one netminder in Lehner’s absence, has been out since March and Laurent Brossoit got hurt during the second round against Edmonton, meaning Adin Hill, the Golden Knights’ fourth-stringer has taken over the main duties in goal.

While you can’t really compare any goalie’s playoff performance to what Bobrovsky has done on the other side, Hill has been more than solid, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.07 goals against average and .937 save percentage since taking over.

HOLY MOLY ADIN HILL pic.twitter.com/b7vqoNWlWC

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2023

Really, goaltending is the only edge that Florida has. While Tkachuk has more points than any Vegas player, the Golden Knights have much more depth, with six players earning 14 or more playoff points up to this point as compared to three for Florida.

On defense, the Golden Knights are also bigger, have more championship experience and have been better adept at keeping shots and scoring chances to a minimum in front of their goaltender.

Anything can happen as the Panthers have already proven, but based on the matchup, this is Vegas’ series to lose and I’m rolling the dice on the more likely gamble here.

Prediction: Vegas in Five (+500)

Conn Smythe Trophy Pick

While the two favorites in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds are both Panthers, the next six players with the shortest odds are all Golden Knights.

The reason being is that any of those six players from Vegas in the table below can win it with a red-hot series, but for Florida, Bobrovsky and Tkachuk are the true heroes of this magical run.

2023 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

Odds as of May 31st from FanDuel. Browse the best sportsbook promo codes for Stanley Cup Final betting.

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While Vegas is our pick to win it all, there is still a solid chance Bobrovsky could win playoff MVP even if the Panthers lose. In NHL history, five players from losing teams have won the Conn Smythe trophy, with a goalie winning it on four of those occasions.

Although the odds aren’t too juicy at +200, Bobrovsky has been absolutely incredible, giving up more than two goals just once since the start of the second round. Even if they lose, he has a legitimate chance to take home the hardware, while picking a player from Vegas is a bit of a shot in the dark.

Without burying you in a sea of statistics, just absorb this one. Bobrovsky has 19.7 goals saved above expected for these playoffs. The next closest netminder? Igor Shesterkin at 8.8. “Bob” is far and away the reason Florida finds themselves with a chance to win it all, so take the Panthers netminder to win the Conn Smythe.

Prediction: Sergei Bobrovsky (+200)

The post Panthers vs Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Prediction & Conn Smythe Pick appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

It all comes down to this. The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers will faceoff in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final for the chance to hoist hockey’s ultimate prize. Oddsmakers have already crafted a betting line for this best-of-seven series.

The opening 2023 Stanley Cup odds price the Golden Knights as small favorites over the Panthers. The spread for the series is set at -1.5 games, with oddsmakers projecting a close and hard-fought battle between two heavyweights.

Let’s analyze the Golden Knights vs Panthers odds and make our early pick for the Stanley Cup Final.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Series Odds

The 2023 Stanley Cup Final schedule is out, with Game 1 taking place Saturday, June 3rd at T-Mobile Arena (8:00 ET). TNT will be broadcasting every game in this series.

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Golden Knights Favored in Stanley Cup Odds

Oddsmakers are predicting that the Vegas Golden Knights will beat the Florida Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. They’ve instilled VGK as -130 favorites on the moneyline in the series, meaning the Sin City team has a 56.5% implied win probability.

Vegas has dominated the Western Conference in the NHL Playoffs, taking down the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars thus far. The recent expansion team hasn’t required more than six games to win a series, including a recent six-game route of Dallas in the Conference Final.

let 'em know, Marchy 📣 pic.twitter.com/QSNCW3mBf0

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 26, 2023

While Vegas entered the playoffs as the top seed in the West, the Panthers are the true underdogs of the East. The Panthers entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and have since taken down the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.

Vegas was a team predicted by many to be in this spot at the beginning of the season, while Florida squeaked into the postseason before embarking on a remarkable Cinderella run. Conversely, VGK has been favored in every series thus far, while the Panthers have been priced as underdogs.

Vegas vs Florida Head-to-Head History

With Vegas and Florida playing in different conferences, plus VGK being an expansion team, there isn’t too much recent history to analyze. The two teams played twice during the 2022-23 NHL regular season, with Vegas winning 4-2 on January 12, and Florida winning 2-1 on March 7.

If we take things back to when Vegas first entered the league, we can see one team has a slight head-to-head edge. The Golden Knights have taken six of 10 all-time meetings against the Panthers, and are also a perfect 5-0 vs Florida at the “Fortress” aka T-Mobile Arena.

Here are the recent results for Vegas vs Florida dating back to 2020:

Vegas vs Florida History

Something interesting to note is the Panthers have outshot the Golden Knights in each of the past four meetings, although VGK holds a 349-307 all-time shots on goal edge. Bettors should also be mindful that the “over” has cashed in seven of 10 head-to-head meetings.

Golden Knights vs Panthers Series Prediction

Will Florida’s magic finally run out against the powerhouse Golden Knights in the Cup Final? It wouldn’t be wise to start doubting Florida now considering they’ve proved naysayers wrong all postseason. But, on the other hand, the stats do lean toward VGK being the better team.

The Golden Knights are averaging more goals per game while allowing similar goals per contest. The Panthers’ edge is in the goaltending crease, where Russian Sergei Bobrovsky is playing lights out with a .935 save percentage. Plus, in two games against VGK this year, Bobrovsky stopped 51 of 55 shots (.927 SV%).

Golden Knights vs Panthers Stats

The break in the NHL playoff schedule should benefit Bobrovsky, who played in multiple overtime games during the Eastern Conference Final. The question becomes whether fatigue becomes a factor late in the series if the VGK offense pours it on in waves like the Hurricanes did. For Vegas, goalie Adin Hill (.915 SV%) has been holding his own despite a lack of playoff experience.

Given VGK’s dominance on home ice and how well they shut down Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Round 2, we’re backing them to take care of Florida in the Final. But with how the Panthers have defied expectations all postseason, this isn’t a bet we’re rushing to our sportsbook to make.

Prediction: Vegas in Six

The post Golden Knights vs Panthers Opening Odds for 2023 Stanley Cup Final appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Dallas Stars looked dead to rights after losing Game 3. Jamie Benn lost his composure and was lucky only receiving a two-game suspension. However, going down 0-3 did something for Dallas. The Stars started playing Dallas hockey.

The Golden Knights stopped scoring as often. Jake Oettinger started playing better in goal and Adin Hill looked just the slightest bit human in Game 5. Is there a chance that this series has completely turned?

Vegas began this series as -135 favorites to make their second Stanley Cup Final in six seasons. That number dipped from -2400 to -335. Dallas are the underdogs at +260. Read on for Stars vs Golden Knights analysis.

Golden Knights vs Stars Game 6 Odds

Vegas is the second choice in the Stanley Cup odds at +125, while Dallas is third at +600. The Golden Knights are the +110 underdogs in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00 pm ET at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas with ESPN broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Dallas Stars Betting Analysis

The Dallas Stars righted themselves in Games 4 and 5 much like they did against Minnesota and Seattle by the looks of the scoreboard. However, this time the Stars showed an ability to slow down Vegas to a goal-scoring halt while mounting an offense of their own. Dallas and its speed plus depth are quite a combination when it gets going.

RIGHT SPOT, RIGHT TY-ME FOR THE LEAD!@BudLight | #BudLightCelly | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/kkHWCstCBE

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 28, 2023

Jake Oettinger is an excellent goaltender for Dallas and is now making the saves he needs to. The question becomes what does Peter DeBoer do about Ryan Suter and Jamie Benn? The Stars played unquestionably better on Thursday and Saturday night. Could Benn see fourth-line minutes with Suter seeing seventh-defenseman-like ice time? That is possible. It will be intriguing to see what Dallas does.

Dallas has scored seven goals in the past two games and can easily get 3-4 past Adin Hill with regularity. That is the Stars’ belief. With depth like Ty Dellandrea scoring twice in Game 5, it is hard to doubt the Stars here.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

Vegas is showing signs of hemorrhaging like the Miami Heat. The Golden Knights scored early in Games 4 and 5 but mounted little offense afterward. That resulted in an overtime Game 4 loss and a Game 5 where Dallas looked like the more dominant team in Vegas. Depth scoring vanished and the top line still features no goals from Jack Eichel.

Vegas continues to get great goaltending from Adin Hill but some of the mistakes Hill makes rose to the surface too. The third goal Hill allowed was poor positioning. He should have been more aggressive and that did turn Game 5.

Adin Hill's two best, highlight-reel saves tonight came on the doorstep against Roope Hintz and Joel Kiviranta. One might say it was a tough night to Finnish for the Stars.

*ducks*

— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) May 28, 2023

The Golden Knights were outplayed by a Dallas team who played a more Vegas style. Hill now knows he has to play as aggressively as his counterpart, Jake Oettinger. Take one moment slightly off and pay the price!

Vegas knows that Dallas is now in this series. Winning that fourth and final game means getting back to playing balanced hockey.

Vegas vs Dallas Recent Results

Vegas is facing a different, more dynamic Dallas team than they did in Games 1-3. It is funny that Dallas has won eight of the nine games from Games 4-7. Dallas seems to take time to get going in the series.

Golden Knights vs Stars Pick & Prediction

Bettors display a slight bit of faith in Vegas. The betting percentage is 53% on Vegas (52% money on Vegas) but expect a moneyline shift to Dallas. Our model has this Stars vs Golden Knights game going the way of Dallas, 3.41-3.17.

The Stars, much like the Celtics, are green with pride. Honestly, this one feels like it will at least go back to Vegas for Game 7. Even with Jamie Benn, Dallas has figured out Vegas. It might be worth playing things safe just in case.  Our picks are a cut-and-paste from Game 5.

Picks: Vegas Under 2.5 Goals (+102), Dallas Moneyline (-130)

The post Golden Knights vs Stars Game 6 Odds, Spread & Picks (May 29) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Dallas Stars managed to stave off elimination in Game 4 on Thursday, overcoming a pair of deficits to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime. Vegas had raced out to a 3-0 series lead before dropping their first game of the Western Conference Final. Apart from a 4-0 Knights victory in Game 3, the other three affairs have been decided past regulation.

Vegas began this series as -135 favorites to make their second Stanley Cup Final in six seasons of existence. They’re now -1000 to advance to the Finals, with the Stars +650 underdogs. Read on for Stars vs Golden Knights analysis.

Stars vs Golden Knights Game 5 Odds

Vegas is the top choice in the Stanley Cup odds at -110, while Dallas is the last selection at +1500. The Knights are the -150 favorites in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00pm ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with ABC and ESPN+ broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Dallas Stars Betting Analysis

Dallas has had some bad luck in this series, with the first two games being decided in Vegas’ favor in overtime. However, the Knights dominated early in Game 3, then the Stars captain Jamie Benn was suspended a pair of games for cross-checking Mark Stone. The Stars were able to weather the storm in Game 4, on the strength of the ageless Joe Pavelski’s overtime heroics.

⭐️ JOE PAVELSKI SAID WE'RE GOING TO FIVE ⭐️#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/oTfRN3CL24

— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2023

Jason Robertson, who led the squad with 109 points in the regular season, hadn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders in the post-season. However, he’s sniped four times in the series against Vegas, including twice in Game 4. If Robertson continues to be dangerous, the series definitely changes.

After an absolutely brutal Game 3 that saw him surrender three goals on five shots, Jake Oettinger had a strong effort, stopping 37 of 39 pucks. Going against Dallas is the fact that they’ve lost four of five following a victory, and they’ve dropped four of five on the road.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

Vegas found themselves in unfamiliar territory by losing Game 4, which was just their fourth defeat in 15 postseason battles. Unlike the other three, which they dropped by at least three goals each time, they lost in overtime.

The Golden Knights haven’t failed in two straight since March, and are 5-0 in their last five when their opponent allows two goals or less in their previous game.

NHL Morning Skate: #StanleyCup Playoffs Edition – May 26, 2023

▪️ @jpav8 becomes oldest player to score OT winner when facing elimination
▪️ @JasonRob1999 nets first multi-goal playoff game
▪️ @DallasStars, @GoldenKnights meet again Saturday#NHLStats: https://t.co/B2jyk4KUyJ pic.twitter.com/2rz0IYJApY

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 26, 2023

Adin Hill has been very capable starting games for Vegas since Laurent Brossoit went down with injury. He has a 2.07 GAA and .938 save percentage. The Golden Knights have won their last four games as a favorite of -110 to -150.

Dallas vs Vegas Recent Results

Dallas won all three meetings in the regular season but Vegas has the upper hand in the Western Conference Finals, taking three of four.

Stars vs Golden Knights Pick & Prediction

Bettors believe that Vegas will close out this series, with 61% of moneyline bets placed on them thus far. That’s an implied win probability of 57.7%. Our model has this Stars vs Golden Knights game going Dallas’ way, 3.41-3.17.

Eight of the last eleven duels between these two teams have resulted in a game going past regulation. Eleven of 13 have been one-goal battles, so selecting either club on the puck line is dicey. The under is 9-1-2 in the Stars’ last twelve Conference Finals games. For Vegas, the under is 9-1-1 in their eleven Conference Finals tangos.

This one is up in the air, but Vegas has been outstanding at finding a way to not lose consecutive games. If that’s the case, they’ll make their second Stanley Cup Final in six seasons.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-150)

The post Stars vs Golden Knights Game 5 Odds, Pick & Prediction (May 27) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Dallas Stars did not look right against the Seattle Kraken, but won in seven games. Dallas took Vegas to overtime in both games on the road but lost. Then, the Stars came home and that is when things only became worse.

The Golden Knights scored early behind the duo of Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel. Jamie Benn took an ill-advised five-minute major that changed the game and likely the series. Vegas went on to win 4-0 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Vegas began this series as -135 favorites to make their second Stanley Cup Final in six seasons. That number is now -2400. Dallas are the underdogs at +1200. Read on for Stars vs Golden Knights analysis.

Golden Knights vs Stars Game 4 Odds

Vegas is the top choice in the Stanley Cup odds at -110, while Dallas is tied for last at +2200. The Golden Knights are the +105 underdogs in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00pm ET at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas with ESPN broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Dallas Stars Betting Analysis

The Dallas Stars came unglued in Game 3 much like they did in Game 3 against Minnesota and Seattle by the looks of the scoreboard. However, this time was different. Dallas gave up an early goal, then took the major, and Jake Oettinger allowed two more goals before getting pulled.

Pete DeBoer says Stars goalie Jake Oettinger will start Game 4 vs. Vegas

Oettinger was candid about Game 3 and why he's motivated to get back in net for Game 4.https://t.co/4Vca1rc5nh pic.twitter.com/BIBNoI7vgo

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) May 24, 2023

Jake Oettinger is an excellent goaltender for Dallas, but something clearly is off. The team had 34 shots on goal in Game 3 and could not solve Adin Hill. It does seem a bit of a role reversal from three seasons ago. Vegas ran into the hot goaltender and now it is Dallas’ turn.

Dallas has to start seeing some pucks go in the net otherwise this series is over on Thursday night. It is cold. Although, the reality is staring them in the face.

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

Vegas keeps rolling along. The Golden Knights scored four more goals on Tuesday night despite only 16 shots. After the opening 20 minutes, the Golden Knights managed six shots on net the rest of the way. Ivan Barbashev led with a goal and two assists and Nicolas Roy chipped in two more points. Even the bottom six contributed another goal too.

Vegas continues to get great goaltending from Adin Hill. He stopped all 34 shots in Game 3. Some keep thinking the regression is coming and yet all Hill keeps doing is proving his doubters wrong. Maybe, Sean Burke had an effect on him but Hill is on some roll.

Full playoff goalie rankings https://t.co/RtBkDPbkvW pic.twitter.com/jKMu9g37wq

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) May 24, 2023

The Golden Knights were smarter in Game 3 while converting their opportunities. One could say Vegas played a clinic of a road game. Every time Dallas seemed to gain momentum, the door was shut by the team defense or Hill himself.

Vegas knows that Dallas will come back with their best effort yet on Thursday night. Winning that fourth and final game is truly the hardest.

Vegas vs Dallas Recent Results

Vegas is facing a different, more dynamic Dallas team than they did during the regular season. The same can be said with Dallas. Vegas had 11 of the 16 high-danger scoring chances at even strength on Friday.

Stars vs Golden Knights Pick & Prediction

Bettors display a tiny amount of faith that Dallas avoids the sweep. The betting percentage is 52% on Dallas but the money percentage sets the moneyline at 70% for Vegas. Our model has this Stars vs Golden Knights game going the way of Dallas, 3.41-3.17.

With the Stars all but down and out, do they channel the Boston Celtics from Tuesday night? Hey, it’s not easy being green. However, this one feels like it will at least go back to Vegas for Game 5. Even without Jamie Benn, Dallas figures to show some pride on Thursday night. It might be worth taking a couple of unusual risks.

Picks: Dallas Stars Win In 60 (+121), Dallas Puckline (+205)

The post Game 4 Golden Knights vs Stars Odds, Spread & Predictions (May 25) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Shockingly, the Carolina Hurricanes are on the verge of being swept in the Eastern Conference Final as the Florida Panthers look to move on to the Stanley Cup Final in the NHL Playoff Bracket on Wednesday, May 24th when the two squads faceoff at FLA Live Arena.

Rod Brind’Amour’s side just can’t solve the puzzle that is Sergei Bobrovsky in goal as the Russian netminder has gotten better with each successive contest, shutting out the Canes in their last matchup to propel Florida to a 3-0 series lead.

Puck drop for Game 4 is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET in a game that will be broadcast on TNT, CBC, Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Below, we analyze this matchup while providing the Hurricanes vs Panthers odds as well as our prediction and player props to watch out for.

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Odds

Finally, online sportsbooks are giving the Panthers the respect they deserve. After being handicapped as underdogs for all 14 of their playoff games, it was a pick’em for Game 3 against Carolina and in Game 4, the Panthers are finally favorites at -115 odds on the moneyline.

In their previous series, the Cats also went up 3-0 on the Maple Leafs and couldn’t close out in Game 4, needing one extra contest to send Toronto packing. Goalscoring has been at a premium this series, with each successive game proving more and more difficult to tally. The Panthers have now hit the under in eight straight.

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Hurricanes Can’t Solve Bobrovsky

Although they’ve had to deal with a number of injuries to key offensive players, the Hurricanes managed to average 4.8 goals per game against the Devils in the second round.

With the return of Teuvo Teravainen against the Panthers this round, it appeared they’d get a further boost up front as they had the shortest Stanley Cup odds of any final four team entering the Conference finals. However, the Finnish winger has been a non-factor and Sergei Bobrovsky has completely shut the door on Carolina.

13 periods played so far in this Eastern Conference finals. Zero 5 on 5 goals for Carolina Hurricanes forwards. Only one 5 on 5 goal scored. Bob’s on another planet right now. Canes can’t buy one.

— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) May 23, 2023

Overall, the Hurricanes have just a 2.2 shooting percentage in this series, scoring only three times on 135 shots. Only twice during the regular season did they lost four straight games and if the offense doesn’t find a way on Wednesday, they’re doomed for it to happen again.

Panthers News and Betting Trends

No official word has come down, but judging by what Paul Maurice told the media during Tuesday’s off day, the Panthers can breathe a bit of a sigh of relief as it appears Aleksander Barkov will be in the lineup Wednesday after leaving Game 3 early with an apparent lower-body injury.

Coach Maurice says the outlook is “optimistic” on captain Sasha Barkov being able to return for Game 4.

He’ll be looked at again tomorrow before making the final call.

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 23, 2023

After emerging victorious in a high-octane series against the record-setting Bruins in the first round, the Panthers have turned into a defensive juggernaut, although most of that is due to the otherworldly play of their netminder.

Against Boston, the Panthers hit the over in five of seven games with the teams combining to average 7.43 goals per game in that series. Since then, the Cats have combined to average just 4.13 goals per game against Toronto and Carolina, hitting the under eight straight times.

Since the first round, Bob’s numbers have been nothing short of mind-blowing as he continues to climb the leaderboard when it comes to the favorites to win the Conn Smythe trophy.

Sergei Bobrovsky Last 8 Games

I know some might be getting sick of the Bobrovsky storyline, but when he’s putting in performances like he has, night after night, it’s impossible to ignore.

Hurricanes vs Panthers Player Prop Picks

For our player prop picks, we’re focusing on one player from each side to light the lamp in Game 4. With scoring so hard to come by in this series, the payout odds provide a nice return.

It’s now been five straight games since Carolina’s leading goal scorer during the regular season and the playoffs, Sebastian Aho, found the back of the net. He’s had 13 shots in three games this series and if you’re betting on anybody to solve the riddle that is Bobrovsky, wager on the Canes’ best offensive player.

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Player Prop Picks

On the other side, Sam Reinhart has flown somewhat under the radar for a Florida team where Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk steal all the headlines, but he’s scored some massive goals for the Cats this postseason. Reinhart has scored in five of six home games in these playoffs, including four straight, so bet on him to do it once again.

Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 4 Prediction

As the favorites in the NHL odds for the first time these playoffs, Florida is now playing with the weight of some expectations.

While we don’t think being made chalk will affect them on the ice, this series has been way too close for the Panthers to be up 3-0. With their backs against the wall, our prediction is that Brind’Amour’s side shows their pride and avoids the sweep to send this series back to Carolina for a Game 5.

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-105)

The post Game 4 Hurricanes vs Panthers Prediction, Odds & Props (May 24) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Dallas Stars were less than three minutes away from notching a victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday. However, a Jonathan Marchessault tying goal, followed by a Chandler Stephenson overtime winner put the Knights up 2-0 in the series. Both games have been won past regulation, so the Stars are desperate to get back into it on Tuesday.

Vegas began this series as -135 favorites to make their second Stanley Cup Final in six seasons of existence. They’re now -400 to advance to the Finals, with the Stars +310 underdogs. Read on for Golden Knights vs Stars analysis.

Golden Knights vs Stars Game 3 Odds

Vegas is the top choice in the Stanley Cup odds at +125, while Dallas is the last selection at +800. The Stars are the -150 favorites in this contest that features a total of 5.5 goals.

Puck drop is set for 8:00pm ET at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX with ESPN broadcasting the game in the States and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC covering it in Canada.

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Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights find themselves two wins from their second-ever Stanley Cup Finals berth. They’ve won the first two games of this series in overtime, and are 6-and-0 in the postseason in games decided by two goals or less.

Goaltender Adin Hill has stepped up in replacing the injured Laurent Brossoit. He’s 5-1 with a 2.28 GAA and sparkling .930 save percentage.

Most Goals Saved Above Average in the 2023 #StanleyCup Playoffs:

11.5 – Sergei Bobrovsky
6.5 – Frederik Andersen
5.4 – Igor Shesterkin
5.2 – Adin Hill
4.1 – Ilya Sorokin

See the full list: https://t.co/di3c5ZM5Np pic.twitter.com/ckis3Y3Nff

— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) May 22, 2023

After operating at a ghastly 60.0% clip on the penalty kill through two rounds, Vegas has clamped down on the PK, killing four of five chances in this series.

The Golden Knights have won five of six on the road and 14 of 17 when their opponent scores two or fewer goals in their previous game.

Dallas Stars Betting Analysis

If Dallas had held onto their 2-1 lead late in Game 2, there wouldn’t have been a ton to dissect about what has gone wrong in Big D. Through two frames in that contest, they limited Vegas to just ten shots on goal and 25 total shot attempts. In nine of 15 playoff games, goaltender Jake Oettinger has surrendered three or more goals, including both in this series.

Expect a big performance from Jake Oettinger today. @DallasStars | #TexasHockey | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JMO7jDPN2w

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 21, 2023

That above stat went to 23 wins and five losses following a loss on the campaign. Dallas hasn’t dropped three straight since mid-February, and they’ve won five of their last six home affairs. However, Dallas is 1-6 in their last seven versus a team with a winning % above .600.

Vegas vs Dallas Recent Results

Dallas won all three meetings in the regular season but has dropped both matchups in the Western Conference Finals.

Golden Knights vs Stars Pick & Prediction

Bettors believe that Dallas will climb back into the series, with a whopping 83% of moneyline bets placed on them thus far. That’s an implied win probability of 56.2%. Our model has this Golden Knights vs Stars game going Dallas’ way, 3.41-3.17.

When it comes to Golden Knights vs Stars props, selecting Roope Hintz at +155 to score is a solid wager. He has the most goals left of anyone competing in the postseason (10) and has found the back of the net in four of his last six outings.

Seven of the last nine duels between these two teams have resulted in a game going past regulation. Ten of eleven have been one-goal battles, so selecting either club on the puck line is dicey. The under is 7-1-2 in the Stars’ last 10 Conference Finals games. For Vegas, the under is 7-1-1 in their nine Conference Finals tangos. With it being such a close battle, expect the Stars to make this a tight series with a Game 3 victory.

Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline (-150)

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