Monday’s Top Computer Pick
- Panthers ML (+120) at Bet365
Using our OddsTrader NHL computer picks we were able to place Monday night’s bets based on the information generated.
Vegas Golden Knights took game one on home ice in the first game of the series, winning 5-2 on the night our computer picks went 1-0 during the finals having predicted the total to go over 5.5 goals.
With a record sitting at 10-5 across the previous 15 playoff games, we look to continue our success in game two taking a look at the Florida Panthers as road underdogs.
Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Monday, June 5, 2023 – 08:00 PM EDT at T-Mobile Arena
Vegas Edge Opponents on Home Ice
Despite the Vegas Golden Knights winning game one by a 5-2 scoreline, smashing their opponents respectively by three goals. It didn’t necessarily explain the game as a whole, for long periods the Panthers were well and truly in this game, and they even opened the scoring shorthanded, scoring on a Golden Knights powerplay.
Ultimately, things went against them, the Mark Stone 4th goal was arguably a high stick, although eventually, the referee decided good goal, it was controversial. A 5th empty-netter goal ended all Panthers’ hopes of stealing a road win in game one.
The game was pretty much even across all stats on the board besides the penalty minutes which Florida had 46 of compared to the Golden Knights’ 18, and two of their four goals that had a goaltender in net came during a powerplay.
Florida needs to stay disciplined as their penalty minutes are what ultimately cost them in the first game of the Stanley Cup finals series. The Florida Panthers were really only let down in the first game by their penalty minutes, and it certainly does not help when they have the second-worst PK unit of all final four teams.
Florida Panthers Key Facts
- The total has gone Under in 7 of Florida’s last 8 games when playing as the underdog.
- The Panthers are 8-1 in their last 9 games on the road.
- Florida is 0-6 in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Vegas.
- Florida is 11-2 in their last 13 games.
Vegas Golden Knights Key Facts
- The total has gone Over in 6 of Vegas’ last 9 games.
- The total has gone Over in 4 of Vegas’ last 5 games at home.
- The Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- Vegas is 7-2 in their last 9 games.
Florida Aint Worrying
The Florida Panthers have been through a lot of ups and downs this season, sneaking into the playoffs and proceeding to knock out the next three favorites to win the cup is a massive feat. After forcing the Boston Bruins to seven games they overcame the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 and the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0.
This team proved during the first game of the series there isn’t much between these two teams, and we feel the +120 odds on the Panthers to win game two is a must-bet, especially when our computer is predicting the same outcome.
Computer Predicts Road Victory
Keep the penalty minutes down and the Panthers are right back in this series, they had an extra seven days rest than the Vegas Golden Knights in game one. Some said they won’t be as sharp as the Golden Knights, but arguably should have the fitter team having had so much rest.
The way it played out, none of that mattered, both teams came to play strong hockey and the Golden Knights might have looked a tiny bit sharper around the net, but not enough to believe they are -130 favorites compared to the +120 available on the Florida Panthers.
Our computer predicts a road win and so do we, look to bet the Panthers down to as low as +105 to win this second game of the Stanley Cup finals.
Predicted Score: Florida Panthers 3 – Vegas Golden Knights 2
NHL Pick: Panthers ML (+120) at Bet365
