The Panthers return home on a high after claiming an impressive 6-3 win in Game 2 on Wednesday to even up the series at one game apiece. The loss snapped the Bruins’ nine-game win streak, and also marks the most goals they have allowed in a home game so far this season. 

Despite their Game 2 setback, the Bruins continue to lead the way on the Friday NHL odds, perched as -161 favourites, while the Panthers trail as +132 underdogs. The total is pegged at 6.0, with -120 odds favouring the OVER.

Bruins vs. Panthers NHL Playoffs Betting Odds

These teams have split six overall meetings this season, with no team claiming consecutive victories over that stretch. The total has gone OVER in five of those contests, including both dates in Florida. The Panthers are undefeated in three straight home meetings with Boston, including two wins by multi-goal margins. 

In the wake of their Game 2 defeat, the Bruins have seen their stock drop on the NHL playoff series prices, and enter the weekend as diminished -278 favourites while the Panthers have improved to +238. The odds of the series still being tied after four games sit at a short +107, with Boston emerging as a short +278 bet to settle m,atters in six games.

Boston Bruins

After frustrating the Panthers with physical play, trademark antagonism, and a dominating presence in front of the net in their 3-1 victory in Game 1, the tables were turned on the Bruins on Wednesday night. Set back on their heels by an early Florida goal, the Bruins found themselves playing catch up all night while often getting outworked at their own game by a Panthers squad playing 60 minutes at both ends of the ice. The Bruins outshot Florida by a 37-30 margin, but were unable to create havoc in front of the net. The club’s lone goal at even strength came in the dying seconds when matters were already settled, and marked the fourth time in six games that Boston has scored two or fewer goals at even strength. Pavel Zacha was one of the few Bruins to consistently find the target, tallying a team-high five shots and with one assist he has now recorded six points in six games. Brad Marchand scored for a second straight game, and now has three goals and six points during a four-game points streak.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers demonstrated impressive character while shaking off their tough 3-1 loss in Game 1. Florida stuck to a similar game plan, and were rewarded for setting the early tone with a 1-0 lead in the first two minutes. Sam Bennett opened the scoring in his first game appearance after being sidelined by injury for a month, and continued to create opportunities with his team-high seven shots. The panthers’ lone scorer in Game 1, Matthew Tkachuk continued to produce on Wednesday, setting up a pair of goals bring his point total to 15 over the past nine games. However, the biggest hero of the night for Florida has to be goaltender Alex Lyon, who stopped 34 of the 37 shots he faced including a number of game-saving stops to preserve the win.  

Game 3  Prediction: Who Will Win Bruins vs. Panthers?

BRUINS

Away

3

PANTHERS

Home

4

Score
Predictions

Matchup

Observers who have claimed that Florida matches up well with Boston going into this series had their point proven in Game 2. In addition to setting the tone and claiming an all-important early lead, the Panthers demonstrated their ability to frustrate Boston with the forecheck and stand up to the big bad Bruins when push came to shove. A similar effort will be required in Game 3, but it is tough to overlook the Panthers as home underdogs on Friday night.