The Florida Panthers are the betting favorite to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a road win over the Boston Bruins tonight.
With the season on the line for Boston, our Panthers vs. Bruins predictions are calling for a busy evening for Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman.
Read more in our NHL picks for Friday, May 17.
Panthers vs Bruins prediction
My best bet
Jeremy Swayman Over 29.5 saves (-116 at Pinnacle)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
The Florida Panthers didn’t start on time in Game 5, mustering just four shots on 11 attempts in the opening period. However, it was business as usual from there on out, with the Cats registering 25 shots on 55 attempts across the final 40 minutes.
As a result, we’re landing a decreased saves total for Boston Bruins starter Jeremy Swayman. He closed with a 30.5 saves total in Game 5, and the Panthers have averaged 36.5 shots per contest through the first four games of the series.
Of course, it’s also been back to business as usual for Swayman the past two games, as he’s turned away 66 of 70 shots to bump his SV% to a postseason-high .933. Swayman also tops all goalies with 1.01 goals saved above average per 60 minutes, with Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin trailing way back in second place with a 0.63 mark.
The five-on-five possession battle in this series has also been the most lopsided of any Round 2 matchup. Florida sports a 59.4 Corsi For percentage and 58.9% shot share at 5-on-5, and I expect them to push the play and show up on time in Game 6.
Panthers vs Bruins same-game parlay (SGP)
Panthers moneyline
Jeremy Swayman Over 29.5 saves
Sam Reinhart 3+ shots
It’s difficult to win four in a row in the playoffs, and after the noted slow start in Game 5, the Panthers generated 56.9% of the expected goals and drove possession with a 62.0 CF% at 5-on-5 over the final two periods. Florida’s 60.8 xGF% is also the highest of any team in Round 2, and No. 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed just seven goals over the past four games.
Panthers winger Sam Reinhart has three or more shots in 15 consecutive games dating back to the regular season, and he’s averaging 4.6 per playoff game. He skates on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, and he’s posted a rock-solid 60.0 CF% and 61.9% shot share at 5-on-5 against the Bruins in this series.
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 (+160) | Boston +1.5 (-190)
- Moneyline: Florida -165 | Boston +140
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-105) | Under 5.5 (-115)
Panthers vs Bruins moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- There has been interesting back-and-forth movement on the moneyline at bet365. The Panthers opened at -165 through bet365 on Tuesday night, and after a move to -150, Florida is listed at -155 as of Friday afternoon.
- Pinnacle offers an even better -144 number for Florida, following the shop initially opening at Panthers -146.
- The total is a consensus of 5.5, and there has been action on the Under to raise the vig to -125 at bet365 and -126 at Pinnacle as of Friday afternoon.
- I’m always hesitant to recommend an Under in an elimination game because of the potential for a goaltender to be pulled earlier than usual, and especially if there’s a late multi-goal lead.
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Panthers vs Bruins trend
Florida has averaged 35 shots per game against Boston in Round 2. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Bruins.
Panthers vs Bruins game info
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Friday, 5-17-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Panthers vs Bruins latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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