The Boston Bruins were far and away the best team in all of hockey this season, setting NHL records in both wins (65) and points (135). Their dominance has already led to bettors hammering Stanley Cup futures, and they will take the ice for the first playoff game on Monday night against the Florida Panthers. Bettors are seeking out the best Panthers-Bruins Stanley Cup Playoffs bets for Game 1, so let’s dive into the odds, puck lines and prediction for Game 1.
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Best Panthers-Bruins Stanley Cup Playoffs Bets
Per BetMGM:
- Moneyline: Bruins -225, Panthers +180
- Spread: Bruins -1.5 (+115), Panthers +1.5 (-140)
- Total: Over 6.5 (+100), Under 6.5 (-120)
- 60-Minute line: Bruins -140, Panthers +260, Tie +350
The Bruins’ regular season success does not guarantee they will steamroll the competition throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After all, the last three Presidents Cup winners have failed to reach the finals. But this Bruins team is a different animal, and they play a Panthers team that simply does not match up on the surface.
The Panthers (42-32-8) fell to the second wild card spot after losing the final two games of the season, meaning they will be burdened with trying to take down the Bruins’ juggernaut. The Panthers have no issues putting the puck in the back of the net, ranking third in the NHL in goals for (3.03 goals per game) and second in expected goals (3.22). But they have shown a true weakness on the defensive side, ranking 15th in goals allowed per game (2.52) and 23rd in penalty kill percentage (75.9%).
There is still the goaltender question for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky was the starting netminder for most of the year, but 30-year-old journeyman Alex Lyon got a chance with Bobrovsky dealing with an illness last month, and he seized the opportunity.
Lyon was a key part of the team’s recent six-game winning streak and a big reason why they were able to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, at all. In 14 starts, Lyon went 9-4-2, sporting a 2.89 goals-against average with a save percentage of .914 save percentage.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice admitted before the playoffs that it would be hard to take the job away from Lyon given how well he has performed.
“When he first came in, he was just pure battle. Now he is a guy who is settled in and very efficient,” he said, per The Palm Beach Post. “Some of that is just confidence — settling your game down and getting back to tracking pucks — so there has been a significant style change for him and some of that is just comfort level.”
But regardless of whether it is Lyon or Bobrovsky in Game 1, the Panthers are going to need to play significantly better to limit the Bruins’ attack. The Bruins are the heavy favorites to win this series and for good reason. Look for them to get off to a hot start in front of their home fans in Game 1, winning in convincing fashion.
Bettors looking for the best value throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs should be sure to check out OddsShopper tools!
Best Panthers-Bruins Bet: Bruins to win in regulation (-140 at BetMGM)
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