The Florida Panthers attempt to bounce back from a dismal start to the series when they host the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The nine-day layoff after sweeping Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final apparently had a negative effect on the Panthers, who were outscored 12-4 in losing the first two games of the Final on the road. Florida now looks to become just the sixth team to win the Cup after losing the first two games of the Final and first since the 2011 Boston Bruins.
Florida is a -125 favorite (risk $125 to win $100) in the latest Panthers vs. Golden Knights odds at Caesars Sportsbook. The over/under for total goals is set at 6 (see up-to-date odds for every game on our NHL odds page).
Before making any Golden Knights vs. Panthers picks, you NEED to check out the NHL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
This model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, taking into account factors like current form, individual matchups, injuries and short- and long-term trends when making NHL picks. The model seeks the best values on the money line, puck line and total.
The model has considered that Florida remains in search of its first victory in a Stanley Cup Final as it is 0-6 after being swept by Colorado in 1996 and losing the first two games of this series. The Panthers need Matthew Tkachuk to return to form. He entered the Final as the second-leading scorer this postseason with a franchise playoff-record 21 points and the leader in game-winning goals with four. The 25-year-old left wing netted a late tally in Game 2 but has amassed 36 penalty minutes - including three 10-minute misconducts - in the series thus far.
It also has factored in that Vegas is tied for the most goals over the first two games of a Final during the expansion era, with the last team to produce 12 being the 1982 New York Islanders. The Golden Knights have won the last 34 playoff games in which they netted at least three tallies, including all 14 this postseason. Jonathan Marchessault is riding a seven-game point streak after recording two goals and an assist in Game 2 and has scored 12 times over his last 12 contests.
Now, it has set its sights on Panthers vs. Golden Knights. We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the money line has ALL the value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any NHL picks.
Who wins Panthers vs. Golden Knights in Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final? And which side of the money line has ALL the value? Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Golden Knights vs. Panthers matchup you should be all over Thursday, all from the model that has simulated this game 10,000 times!
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