Top US sportsbooks have the Golden Knights currently at -130 in game 1 with more than 70% of the early moneyline bets are on the Vegas team. The total opened at 5.5 (-114 over) at the best online sportsbooks.
2023 Stanley Cup Final Panthers vs. Golden Knights Info
| Date: | Saturday, June 3, 2023. |
| Time: | 8 P.M. ET. |
| Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV. |
| TV Coverage: | TNT |
Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +1½ (-240) | 5½ (-115) | +110 |  |
| Golden Knights | -1½ (+200) | 5½ (-105) | -130 | |
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Betting Florida Panthers
At the start of the new year, the Florida Panthers had a 16-17-4 record (36 points). They were a million miles away from the Boston Bruins who at that point were 24 points ahead of the Panthers with a 28-4-4 overall record (60 points).
For all of the terrible decisions that the Panthers have been making in the past (e.g., Dale Tallon), you must give them credit for making a move that would alter the course of the franchise. Following an unbelievable 58-18-6 (122 points) record in 2021-22, the team thought that it was high time to part ways with head coach Andrew Brunette who had taken over for Joel Quenneville following a 7-0 start.
Brunette led the Panthers to a 51-18-6 record the remainder of the way but was a major letdown in the playoffs after they almost lost to the Washington Capitals in the first round, and then succumbed to the Tampa Bay Lightning in four consecutive games in the second round.
The owner, Vincent Viola, knew that they were in dire need of a more seasoned head coach who could take them all the way. Enter former Winnipeg Jets head coach, Paul Maurice, whose team made it into the playoffs via a final 1-point margin over the Buffalo Sabres in the final league standings.
Maurice is a born leader and a veritable Chrysostomos that many hockey fans could hear talk all day.
This is going to be Maurice’s greatest challenge as a head coach. He is looking to improve on his 36-37 overall postseason record (+781 units). Maurice has lost four of his five playoff matchups against the Golden Knights in Vegas.
According to top sportsbooks, The total has gone UNDER in eight of Florida’s last nine games. Florida has gone 5-0 SU in their last five games. Florida has gone 2-5 SU in their last seven games playing against Vegas.
The total has gone UNDER in five of Florida’s last five games playing on the road. Florida has gone 0-5 SU in their last five games when they are playing on the road against Vegas. Florida has gone 4-1 SU in their last five games playing against an opponent in the Pacific Division. The total has gone UNDER in seven of Florida’s last seven games when they are playing as the underdog.
Betting Las Vegas Golden Knights
The owner’s goal from the get-go was to win a Stanley Cup within 6 years. For a while, it seemed as if it was only going to take one year after the franchise made an awe-inspiring run in 2018, but then lost to the Washington Capitals in five games.
Like the Florida Panthers, the Golden Knights, who are led by General Manager Kelly McCrimmon and by President George McPhee, thought that the time had come for a coaching change after Pete DeBoer almost led the undermanned Knights to the playoffs last season.
Former Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy overstayed his welcome in Bean Town but was a perfect fit for a roster that was in need of that Stanley Cup vibe behind the bench. Vegas would go from not reaching the postseason by the thinnest of margins last season to a 51-22-9 (111 points) record in 2022-23.
Cassidy is a leader who guided a team that has had to employ five goalies to get this far and that’s not even including Robin Lehner. He was supposed to be the starter with Logan Thompson. The Vegas executives, like those at Florida, have shown to have an incredible knack for overcoming hurdles, which in turn makes it hard to cheer against either team.
Per top sportsbooks’ trends, Vegas has gone 12-4 SU in their last 16 games. Vegas has gone 9-3 SU in their last 12 games playing at home. Vegas has gone 5-0 SU in their last five games when they are playing at home against Florida.
The total has gone OVER in five of Vegas’ last seven games playing against an opponent in the Eastern Conference. The total has gone OVER in eleven of Vegas’ past 16 games when they are playing as the favorite.
2023 Stanley Cup Final Panthers vs. Golden Knights Pick
Florida will Win and the Total will go Over.
