NHL Hockey

Panthers Fight for Playoff Lives vs. Bruins Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Posted by Nick Brown
April 26, 2023

It is true that the Florida Panthers had an inspiring run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Florida fought with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot for two months. Florida impressed the NHL betting with their tenacity and ability. In fact, the Panthers were given a chance to scare the top-seed Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Especially when the Panthers and Bruins split their first two games in Boston. But once the series moved to Florida, the Panthers and gamblers were given a stark reality check.

NHL Betting: Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins

Panthers vs. Bruins CashBet Series Odds:

Boston Bruins -650 vs. Florida Panthers +450

Panthers vs. Bruins CashBet Wagering Analysis

To begin with, the Boston Bruins compiled the greatest regular season in NHL history. Boston won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular season record in a blowout. Still, there have been stunning top online sportsbook upsets of Presidents’ Trophy teams in the past. For that reason, the Panthers were drawing some bargain-hunter support. But that is no longer the case. Nobody wants to step in the Bruins on home ice with a chance to clinch.

Panthers vs. Bruins Series Schedule

Bruins lead series 3-1

Game 1: Bruins 3, Panthers 1

Game 2: Panthers 6, Bruins 3

Game 3: Bruins 4, Panthers 2

Game 4: Bruins 6, Panthers 2

Wed., April 26: Panthers at Bruins, 7 p.m. ET; ESPN

*Fri., April 28: Bruins at Panthers, TBD

*Sun., April 30: Panthers at Bruins, TBD

* if necessary

TBD — To Be Determined

Panthers Face Uphill Battle

Late on, Florida has covered one out of their last six games. While the Panthers have gone over the Betting on NHL total in three of its previous five matchups.

Florida has NHL rankings of 6^th for goals scored and 10^th for power play efficiency. In comparison, on defense, the Panthers have NHL rankings of 21st for goals against and 23^rd for penalty killing.

The Florida Panthers were 42-37-8 straight up and 42-30 over/under the total. Also, Florida finished 8^th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Florida finished 43 points behind the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

First among Florida scorers is Matthew Tkachuk, with two goals, three assists, five points, and a +2. Goaltender Alex Lyon has a .902 save percentage and 3.25 goals-against average. His record is 1-2 with 0 shutouts.

Boston Bruin Up a Championship Run

Late on, Boston has covered nine out of their last ten games. While the Bruins have gone over the pro hockey betting total in five of its previous seven matchups.

Boston has NHL rankings of 2^nd for goals scored and 12^th for power play efficiency. In comparison on defense, the Bruins have NHL rankings of 1^st for goals against and 1^st for penalty killing.

The Boston Bruins finished 65-12-5 straight up and 36-40-6 over/under the total. Also, Boston was 1^st in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Carolina finished 22 points behind the Bruins in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

First among Boston scorers is Taylor Hall, with four goals, three assists, seven points, and a +3. Goaltender Linus Ullmark has a .926 save percentage and 2.55 goals-against average. His record is 3-1 with 0 shutouts.

Game Five Recap

Linus Ullmark stopped 41 shots before leaving the game with 3:11 remaining after drawing a misconduct penalty. But the Bruins beat the Panthers 6-2 on Sunday to move one game away from the second round of the playoffs.

Namely, Taylor Hall had two goals and two assists. At the same time, Jake DeBrusk scored twice. Also, Brad Marchand and Tyler Bertuzzi had goals for the Bruins, who got a second consecutive win on Florida ice. Hall’s goals came in the final 3:36, the second one an empty-netter.