The Florida Panthers look to tighten up defensively and avoid a monumental deficit when they host the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Thursday. Florida fell to 0-6 all-time in the Final as it dropped the first two games of the series on the road, allowing a total of 12 goals in the setbacks. The Panthers gave up seven tallies in Game 2 after permitting six during their sweep of Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final. Vegas’ offense has been on fire of late, producing 18 goals over their last three playoff contests.
Opening faceoff at FLA Live Arena is set for 8 p.m. ET. Florida is the -120 favorite in the latest Panthers vs. Golden Knights odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total goals scored is 6. Before making any Golden Knights vs. Panthers picks, be sure to check out the NHL predictions and betting advice 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.
Now, the model has its sights on Panthers vs. Golden Knights and just locked in its picks and Stanley Cup Final predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the NHL odds from Caesars Sportsbook and trends for Golden Knights vs. Panthers:
- Panthers vs. Golden Knights money line: Florida -120, Vegas +100
- Panthers vs. Golden Knights over/under: 6 goals
- Panthers vs. Golden Knights puck line: Florida -1.5 (+210)
- FLA: The Panthers are 0-6 all-time in the Stanley Cup Final
- VGK: The Golden Knights have scored 18 goals in their last two games
- Panthers vs. Golden Knights picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Why the Panthers can win
Despite his lack of discipline in the first two games, Matthew Tkachuk still is one of the top offensive performers in the league this postseason. The 25-year-old left wing is tied for second with 22 points, shares first place with four game-winning goals and has been kept off the scoresheet in only four of his 18 outings. Tkachuk tallied late in Game 2 after failing to notch a point in the series opener, so he could be revving up for a strong finish to the playoffs.
The Panthers have been receiving solid production from Anthony Duclair during their run as the 27-year-old left wing has registered 11 points in 17 playoff games after notching nine in 20 regular-season contests. Duclair is in the midst of his second three-game point streak this postseason, having tallied in back-to-back contests before recording an assist on Monday. Anton Lundell also has been a bright spot for Florida in the Final as he set up a goal in the opener and scored one in Game 2 after going six games without a point. See which team to pick here.
Why the Golden Knights can win
Vegas’ offense has been unstoppable since the team suffered back-to-back losses against Dallas in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights closed out that series with an emphatic 6-0 victory and have thrashed the Panthers in this matchup thus far. The club is tied for the most goals over the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final during the expansion era, with the last team to produce 12 being the 1982 New York Islanders.
Scoring at least three goals in a playoff game has assured Vegas a victory of late, as it has won 34 straight such contests – including 14 this postseason – since losing 5-4 in overtime to San Jose in Game 7 of their 2019 first-round series. Jonathan Marchessault continues to make a case for the Conn Smythe Trophy as he recorded two goals and an assist in Game 2 for his third three-point performance of the postseason. The 32-year-old right wing enters Thursday with a seven-game point streak and has set the franchise playoff record with 12 goals, with seven coming in his last seven contests. See which team to pick here.
How to make Panthers vs. Golden Knights picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the goal total, as the simulations have the teams combining for 6.5 goals. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the model’s Game 3 pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Golden Knights vs. Panthers in Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Panthers vs. Golden Knights money line to jump on, all from the advanced model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times, and find out.
