The NHL playoffs continue this evening as the Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of this second-round series. NHL odds have Florida as a slight –123 favorite, while the total sits at 5.5.
Find out which side I’m betting in my Panthers vs. Bruins prediction and NHL picks for May 10.
Panthers vs Bruins prediction
My best bet
Bruins moneyline (+110 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
Florida’s homestand to kick off this series was certainly a tale of two games. Boston dominated Game 1, winning 5-1, while the Panthers returned the favor with a 6-1 victory in Game 2.
Both games were actually closer than those scores indicate, but both losing teams fell apart over the final 21 minutes of each game. With that said, I like the Bruins to take care of business as they return to home ice in Game 3, at least at the price of +110 via Pinnacle.
First, dating back to the regular season, Florida has lost six of its past nine road games. Second, I trust Boston's blue line more than the Panthers.
We are down to the final eight teams. Nobody left has a “bad” defense (well, outside of Edmonton, but I digress), so this is not necessarily a knock on Florida’s defensemen.
More so, it is a proclamation of the play Boston has gotten from its blue-liners. This postseason, the Bruins rank higher than the Panthers in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
That just leaves us with the offense and goaltending. Offensively, Florida is the deeper and stronger team.
At the same time, I would argue that either Jeremy Swayman or Linus Ullmark is also a wash against Sergei Bobrovsky. It remains to be seen which goaltender Boston will go with in Game 3, but I trust either guy just the same.
If we are calling the goaltending battle a wash, then I think the Panthers’ offensive advantage is offset by the Bruins’ defensive advantage. Therefore, I priced this game as closer to a pick ‘em, so I particularly like Boston in this spot at the price of +110.
Panthers vs Bruins same-game parlay (SGP)
Bruins moneyline
Charlie Coyle anytime goal
If we’re backing Boston to win this game, then we obviously need some of its skaters to find the back of the net. Enter Charlie Coyle.
Coyle was the lone Bruins skater to find the back of the net in Game 2, and he has now scored in eight of his past 20 games against Florida. It also helps that he skates alongside Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk on the second line, two guys who are more than capable of setting Coyle up with a good look at the net.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Panthers vs Bruins odds
Panthers vs Bruins live odds
Panthers vs Bruins opening odds
- Puck line: Florida -1.5 (+217) | Boston +1.5 (-254)
- Moneyline: Florida -119 | Boston +106
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (+100) | Under 5.5 (-114)
Panthers vs Bruins moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- Florida opened as a slight –123 favorite and remains at that price as of Thursday night.
- I think the market will move this line in Boston’s direction, given all the aforementioned variables. However, I would highly doubt that line goes past +100, as the buyback would be large on the Panthers due to what they did to the Bruins in Game 2.
- The total opened at 5.5 and also remains at that price.
- I think the public will lean towards the Over, since each of the first two games of this series saw six or more total goals scored. With that said, these are elite goaltenders, so the movement would likely be small.
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Panthers vs Bruins trend
Boston has won five of the past six meetings between these two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Bruins.
Panthers vs Bruins game info
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Friday, 5-10-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Panthers vs Bruins latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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