Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins Game 2 Prediction, NHL Odds
The Panthers spotted the Bruins a 1-0 series lead with Monday’s 3-1 loss in Game 1. With that defeat, the Panthers are now winless in three games overall, and saw their current losing streak in playoff games extended to five games. The Bruins survived both a fast start by Florida and a flu bug that is reportedly making the rounds in their dressing room to extend their current win streak to nine games with their Game 1 victory, and have now limited opponents to two or fewer goals in 10 straight home contests.
The Bruins are pegged as steady -253 favourites on the Wednesday NHL odds, and are a strong +106 bet on the puckline to claim victory by a multi-goal margin. The Panthers are listed as +202 underdogs in their bid to tie the series, and the odds of the total going OVER 6.0 sit at -124.
Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Playoff Betting Odds
The Bruins’ win extended a trend that has seen the home team earn the win in each of the five meetings between these teams this season. Overall, the Bruins have taken seven of 10 from the Panthers, and have topped Florida in their past five clashes on home ice at TD Garden. The win by the UNDER in Game 1 ends a steady 4-0 run for the OVER when these teams meet. But expends a steady 10-1 run for the UNDER in the Bruins’ past 11 home games.
In the wake of their Game 1 victory, the Bruins are now perched as heavy-714 chalk on the NHL playoff series prices, while the Panthers have dipped to +551, with +226 odds favouring a Boston series win in five games.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers remained true to form with a fast start, but were unable to seize the early advantage in Game 1 despite outshooting the Bruins by a wide 15-8 margin in the opening frame. But while the Panthers dictated pace for lengthy stretches, they struggled at times to control the front of the Boston net and generate scoring opportunities, recording no shots on goal during their two power plays on the night. Accordingly, this team faded as the game progressed. Matthew Tkachuk remained the exception, tallying the Panthers’ lone goal on a Bruins turnover. Alex Lyon’s future in the crease was also cast into doubt when the 30-year-old allowed the Bruins to seize a 2-0 lead on a shot he should have stopped. However, that goal has overshadowed Lyon’s otherwise steady and occasional spectacular play amid chaos in his crease.
Boston Bruins
No Patrice Bergeron, no problem for the Bruins, who turned in yet another outstanding 60 minutes in Monday’s victory. Hobbled by an undisclosed injury that briefly sidelined him at the end of the schedule, net minder Linus Ullmark stood tall in the face of the Panthers’ early attack, stopping 31 of the 32 shots he face to claim his first career playoff victory and his fifth win in as many starts. David Pastrnak potted his 12th goal in 10 games to open the scoring, and Tyler Bertuzzi contributed a pair of assists while looking increasingly comfortable in his role as the Bruins’ newest agitator. The status of Bergeron remains unclear after he missed Game 1 due to illness. Reports indicate the team is dealing with an outbreak of the flu. However, there has been no indication that it will sideline any other players on Wednesday night.
Game 2 Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Bruins?
The Panthers did many things right in Game 1, but were consistently stymied by Ullmark and a patient, methodical Bruins defence. It is crucial for Florida to score first if it is to have any chance of getting the split in Boston. But can they win the physical battles in front of the net that proved so crucial to Monday’s result?
FLA
BOS