Buried in seventh place in the Atlantic Division standings as the calendar flipped to 2023, the Panthers charged into the playoff picture while tallying an impressive 26-14-4 record, claiming the second wild card in the East. The top-seeded Bruins open the postseason perched atop the Stanley Cup odds as +335 favourites after enjoying a record-setting regular season, capped by an eight-game win streak to close out their schedule.

The Bruins have emerged as strong -239 home favourites on the Game 1 odds, while the Panthers lag as +198 underdogs. The total is pegged at 6.0, with the odds of the total going OVER that number shortening to -125.

Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs Betting Odds

These Atlantic Division rivals split four games during the regular season, with each team claiming a pair of wins on home. The Bruins have dominated in head-to-head play, topping Florida in four straight clashes on home ice at TD Garden, and eight of their past 13 overall. High scoring was commonplace in the first matchups between these teams this season, with the OVCER paying out in each of those contests, ending a 4-0 run for the UNDER.

In addition to leading the way as +335 favourites to raise the Cup for the first time since 2011, the Bruins also outpace Florida on the NHL playoff series prices as -333 chalk, while the Panthers lag as a +283 bet. 

Florida Panthers

Led by Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers fueled their late-season renaissance with renewed offensive punch. In addition to reaching the 40-goal plateau for a second straight season, Tkachuk ranked fifth in the NHL with 69 assists, and played a key role in the team’s bid to claim a wild card while potting five goals and 12 points over his final seven appearances. The emergence of Alex Lyon as a legit NHL goaltender also proved crucial to the Panthers’ late-season surge. 

With Spencer Knight sidelined by injury and veteran Sergei Bobrovsky struggling, the Panthers turned to Lyon in the crease, with spectacular results. Called up from the minors in mid-March with head coach Paul Maurice expecting him to play “probably two games”, Lyon resurrected the team’s playoff hopes by allowing just nine total goals in six straight wins. The 30-year-old sports no NHL playoff experience, but is no stranger to big games after leading the AHL Chicago Wolves to a Calder Cup title last season, capped by a 28-save shutout performance to clinch the crown.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins emerged as a dominating force while march to a record 62 wins during the regular season. The B’s powered their climb to the top of the standings with a stingy defence and a breakthrough campaign by netminder Linus Ullmark. The 30-year-old looks destined to pay out as a heavy favourite to claim Vezina Trophy honours after racking up league bests with 40 wins, .938 save percentage, and 1.89 goals against average, and closely trails the top of the odds as a +1200 bet to win this season’s Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. However, Ullmark closed out the regular season sidelined by injury that forced him to miss the team’s season finale in Montreal. He also faces a tough task to turn the page on his dismal playoff debut last season, when he allowed eight total goals in a pair of opening-round losses to Carolina.

Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Bruins?

PANTHERS

Away

5

BRUINS

Home

4

Score
Predictions

Matchup

The Bruins are the darlings at the sportsbook after a sizzling regular season but face a Panthers squad that matches up well at both ends of the ice. With nothing to lose, look for the Panthers to set the pace early in Game 1, and draw first blood in a high-scoring affair.