The No. 8 seed Florida Panthers of the Eastern Conference and No. 1 seed Vegas Golden Knights of the Western Conference face off in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
Which team will win the NHL Playoffs series?
Check out these picks and predictions for the NHL postseason series.
The Golden Knights are given -133 odds to win the Stanley Cup, according to Tipico Sportsbook, which gives the Panthers +110 odds.
Vegas winning the series in seven games is at +400 odds, while Florida winning it in six games is at +450. Vegas winning in six games is at +480 and Vegas winning in five games is at +520. Florida in seven games is at +500 and Florida in five games is at +750.
Vegas is +1100 to sweep Florida and Florida is at +1300 to sweep Vegas.
More:Stanley Cup Final preview: Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights schedule, odds
NHL.com: Golden Knights will win Stanley Cup Final vs. Panthers in seven games
‘Brian Compton writes: “The Panthers are such a tremendous story, and if it not for the extended break they’d probably be my pick. But I’m a big believer in momentum at this time of year, and I fear the layoff will prove to be too long for Florida. The Golden Knights had a couple of setbacks toward the end of the Western Conference Final, but they were absolutely dominant in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars. Home-ice advantage should give Vegas a huge boost in the championship round and should help it seal the deal.”
The Hockey News: Golden Knights will beat Panthers in six games
Adam Proteau writes: “We doubt either team has the overarching dominance to sweep the other side in this series, and we can envision the matchup going at least six games before a victor is declared. But we think Vegas starter Adin Hill is going to be the best goalie in the series and, ultimately, be responsible for putting away the Panthers before a seventh-and-deciding game.”
Sporting News: Panthers will win series vs. Golden Knights in six games
Bryan Murphy writes: “I said after the Panthers won Game 2 against the Hurricanes in overtime that this club officially has the team of destiny vibes, and I’m not walking back on that now. I’m done waiting for Florida to fall off as the team has continued to prove me wrong time and time again. The Panthers bring the Stanley Cup down to South Florida for the first time in franchise history.”
Fansided: Take the Golden Knights to win Stanley Cup Final vs. Panthers
Iaian MacMillan writes: “I’m going to back the Golden Knights as slight favorites to get it done in this series. Let’s not forget the Panthers were 17th in the NHL regular season standings and just barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Sergei Bobrovsky is the reason they’ve made it this far, because they’ve been outplayed in almost every game in the playoffs. For example, they’ve been outshot in all but two postseason games. One was Game 1 against the Bruins, which they lost, and the second was Game 3 against the Maple Leafs.”
Sports Betting Dime: Go with Vegas in six games over Florida for Stanley Cup
Brady Trettenero writes: “The break in the NHL playoff schedule should benefit Bobrovsky, who played in multiple overtime games during the Eastern Conference Final. The question becomes whether fatigue becomes a factor late in the series if the VGK offense pours it on in waves like the Hurricanes did. For Vegas, goalie Adin Hill (.915 SV%) has been holding his own despite a lack of playoff experience. Given VGK’s dominance on home ice and how well they shut down Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Round 2, we’re backing them to take care of Florida in the Final. But with how the Panthers have defied expectations all postseason, this isn’t a bet we’re rushing to our sportsbook to make.”
NHL.com: Bet the Panthers in six games against Golden Knights
Amalie Benjamin writes: ” I’ve spent three rounds in South Florida with the Panthers, and after watching them defeat the Boston Bruins (No. 1 in the NHL this season), the Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 4) and the Carolina Hurricanes (No. 2), I’ve learned not to pick against the Panthers. By sweeping the Hurricanes, the Panthers did exactly what they needed to do to succeed in the Stanley Cup Final: get Sergei Bobrovsky some rest. Because as he’s shown in these playoffs, when Bobrovsky is rested and ready, he can be nearly impossible to beat. So I’m going with the Panthers, with the clutch goal-scoring forward in Matthew Tkachuk, the standing-on-his-head goalie in Bobrovsky, and the always-having-fun team in the Panthers. It might have been unbelievable to say at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it’s the Panthers all the way for me.”
BEST BETS:These sportsbooks and sports betting sites stand above the rest
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
