The Bruins look to avoid seeing their record-setting season come to a premature end with an early playoff exit after dropping a 7-5 decision in Florida on Friday that leaves this series knotted at three games apiece.

The Bruins have managed to hold the edge on the NHL odds despite losing the past two games of the series, and look to Sunday night’s Game 7 matchup perched as surprising -241 favourites. The Panthers return to TD Garden pegged as +193 underdogs while the the odds of the total going OVER 6.0 are listed at a short -124.

Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Playoff Betting Odds

The Panthers have erased a 3-1 series deficit with a pair of character victories, and have also posted wins in two of their three visits to Boston in the series. Overall, these clubs have split 10 total meetings this season, with road teams earning the victory in four of their past five clashes. Five of the first six games of the series have been settled by multi-goal margins, and high scoring has been the norm, with these clubs combining to score an average of 7.67 goals per game.

Florida Panthers

After scoring first and taking a 3-2 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes, the Panthers saw their advantage quickly slip away while surrendering a pair of goals in the third period. But has been the case throughout this series, the Panthers refused to fold, twice overcoming deficits in the final frame and sealing the victory by scoring three times in the final 11 minutes. Florida received contributions from up and down the lineup, with six different players lighting the lamp. Matthew Tkachuk once again set the pace, scoring twice including the crucial game-tying goal midway through the third, and added an assist. Tkachuk has emerged as the hero of this series for Florida while tallying a team-high five goals and 10 points, and has also compiled 11 points in his past seven overall appearances in Boston. Aleksander Barkov finally picked up his first goal of the series, and while netminder Sergei Bobrovsky was lit up for fiove goals, he also made several big saves that gave this team a chance to win.

Boston Bruins

Once again, David Pastrnak and Tyler Bertuzzi put their steadily growing chemistry on display in Game 6. Bertuzzi scored twice and assisted on one of Pastrnak’s two goals on the night. Acquired by Boston at the trade deadline, Bertuzzi has emerged as big-game performer for the bruins, With his three points on Friday, Bertuzzi now ranks second on the club with four goals and nine points, one point back of team-leader Brad Marchand who contributed four helpers in Friday’s losing cause. While the Bruins’ top performers are picking up points, the club has struggled to score at even strength, potting just two total goals over the past two games, and could find themselves at a disadvantage of the calls don’t go their way on Sunday night. It also remains uncertain whether Linus Ullmark will return to the crease for Game 7 after getting lit up for six goals in Game 6 and 10 total goals over the past two games. Ullmark has been a workhorse for this club, but could be wearing down after dealing with an injury late in the season. That could open the door for Jeremy Swayman to get the call on Sunday in his first start since April 13.

Game 7 Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Bruins?

PANTHERS

Away

3

BRUINS

Home

2

Score
Predictions

Matchup

Initially written off as cannon fodder for the powerhouse Bruins, the Panthers have matched up well against Boston in virtually every category. Considering how hard-fought this series has been, the and the contrast between these teams on offense over the past two games, it is quite surprising how little respect Florida is receiving from oddsmakers. Indeed, the Panthers’ long odds are hard to overlook in the wake of their gutsy win ion Friday night.