The Florida Panthers suddenly look unstoppable offensively as they visit the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday.
The B’s are trying to even up the series but sit as +140 underdogs on the NHL odds.
Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Betting Odds
I’m a little surprised the total for Game 4 remains at 5.5 (and under is a -130 favourite) considering Florida has topped that number itself in back-to-back games.
With the Panthers winning 6-2 in Game 3 on Friday, they lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-1 and are -500 favourites to win it (were -175 entering Game 3) with Boston at +380 (was +150). The favoured exact series result is Panthers in five at +185. I personally don’t recommend that but may well happen should Florida win here. The longshot is Bruins in six at +1000. That the series ends in five is +170, six +175 and seven +200. The over-under is 5.5 games with the over at -275.
All-time when leading a best-of-7 series 2-1, Florida is 1-1 but 0-1 when it started at home as this one did. Boston is 10-27 in series when down 2-1 and 2-16 when starting on the road.
Florida Panthers
Florida put six goals on the Bruins in Game 2 and then again in Game 3 in a 6-2 romp – after scoring once in the opener. It’s only the second time in franchise history the Panthers have scored at least six in back-to-back postseason games. The other was the 1996 conference quarterfinals also vs. Boston. The Panthers are the eighth team in the past decade with at least six goals in back-to-back playoff games. When’s the last time you heard of a club scoring four times on the power play in a playoff game? The Cats did on Friday, going 4-for-6. Has a team ever lost a postseason game scoring four times with the man advantage? It was the first time ever Florida had done it in the playoffs. Aleksander Barkov was the No. 1 star with two assists, while Evan Rodrigues had two goals, Matthew Tkachuk three assists and Sam Bennett a helper – we mention him as Bennett hadn’t played since Game 2 of the first round vs. Tampa Bay due to injury. The over is 6-0 in Florida’s past six.
Boston Bruins
We thought there was a chance that Boston coach Jim Montgomery might give goaltender Linus Ullmark his first turn of the series in Game 3 after Jeremy Swayman had struggled in Game 2. That didn’t happen but seems much, much more likely to for Game 4. Ullmark was 3-0 with a 1.62 GAA against Florida during the regular season. Then again, it’s not on Swayman that the Panthers were on the power play so often. The Bruins also had only eight shots on the Florida net in the first two periods. To make matters worse for Boston, captain Brad Marchand is out for Game 4 with an upper-body injury after a collision with Florida’s Sam Bennett. Marchand is the Bruins’ leading scorer in the playoffs with 10 points in 10 games (three goals, seven assists). Marchand is a true throwback type guy so it must be serious, and I’d now expect him to miss at least Game 5 too.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Bruins Game 4?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 11 May 2:24am | BOS | -1.5 +165 | U +5.5 -130 |
| Closing 13 May 12:53am | BOS | -1.5 +375 | U +5.5 -155 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Panthers Team Leaders
| Points |
94 |
| + / - |
56 |
| Shots |
280 |
| Penalty Mins |
104 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
2.03 |
| Points |
110 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
382 |
| Penalty Mins |
78 |
| Wins |
25 |
| GAA |
2.53 |
| Points |
22 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
83 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.32 |
| Points |
11 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
41 |
| Penalty Mins |
25 |
| Wins |
6 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bruins Team Leaders
| Points |
94 |
| + / - |
56 |
| Shots |
280 |
| Penalty Mins |
104 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
2.03 |
| Points |
110 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
382 |
| Penalty Mins |
78 |
| Wins |
25 |
| GAA |
2.53 |
| Points |
22 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
83 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.32 |
| Points |
11 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
41 |
| Penalty Mins |
25 |
| Wins |
6 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
Injuries
Aleksander Barkov (C)
Sam Bennett (C)
Ryan Lomberg (LW)
Aleksander Barkov (C)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D)
Steven Lorentz (C)
Aaron Ekblad (D)
Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Gustav Forsling (D)
Brad Marchand (LW)
Brandon Carlo (D)
Danton Heinen (LW)
Brandon Carlo (D)
Andrew Peeke (D)
Brandon Carlo (D)
Justin Brazeau (RW)
John Beecher (C)
Brad Marchand (LW)
James van Riemsdyk (LW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksander Barkov (C) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 11 / 06 / 24 | 2-3 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Barkov was removed from the game with an upper body injury, but he will be available versus the the Oilers in Game 3 of the Conference Final. |
|||||
| Sam Bennett (C) | Mid May | Upper Body - 23 / 04 / 24 | 8-15 | 11-12 | + - |
|
Bennett is sidelined with an upper-body injury, and he will remain out of the lineup until the middle of May. |
|||||
| Ryan Lomberg (LW) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 23 / 04 / 24 | 8-15 | 11-12 | + - |
|
Lomberg out of commission with an illness, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Aleksander Barkov (C) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 15 / 04 / 24 | 9-16 | 12-13 | + - |
|
Barkov is managing an undefined ailment, but it is expected that he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) | Prob Sun | Upper Body - 13 / 04 / 24 | 10-16 | 12-14 | + - |
|
Ekman-Larsson is battling an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be available against the Lightning for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Steven Lorentz (C) | Ques Tues | Illness - 06 / 04 / 24 | 13-16 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Lorentz was held out of the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will be available for Tuesday's showdown versus the Senators. |
|||||
| Aaron Ekblad (D) | Prob Sun | Lower Body - 02 / 04 / 24 | 13-18 | 14-16-1 | + - |
|
Ekblad has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Lightning. |
|||||
| Matthew Tkachuk (LW) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 02 / 04 / 24 | 13-18 | 14-16-1 | + - |
|
Tkachuk missed the last contest due to illness, but it is predicted that he will suit up in Thursday's tilt with the Senators. |
|||||
| Carter Verhaeghe (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24 | 13-18 | 14-16-1 | + - |
|
Verhaeghe is sidelined with an upper-body injury, and his status going forward is week-to-week. |
|||||
| Gustav Forsling (D) | Prob Tues | Illness - 23 / 03 / 24 | 15-22 | 16-20-1 | + - |
|
Forsling has missed the last two games due to illness, but it is forecasted that he will face the Bruins on Tuesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Marchand (LW) | Prob Fri | Upper Body - 10 / 05 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Marchand is hampered by an upper-body injury, but he is expected to suit up against the Panthers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Brandon Carlo (D) | Ques Mon | Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Carlo is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will face the Panthers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Danton Heinen (LW) | Prob Sun | Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 24 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Heinen has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Panthers. |
|||||
| Brandon Carlo (D) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 24 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Carlo is hindered by an unspecified issue, but it is expected that he will face the Maple Leafs in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Andrew Peeke (D) | Prob Fri | Finger - 23 / 04 / 24 | 6-5 | 3-7-1 | + - |
|
Peeke is battling a finger injury, but he is expected to battle the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Brandon Carlo (D) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 24 | 7-7 | 4-9-1 | + - |
|
Carlo is dealing with an undefined issue, but he is likely to be active against the Maple Leafs for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Justin Brazeau (RW) | Prob Tues | Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24 | 10-10 | 5-14-1 | + - |
|
Brazeau has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, but he is expected to return for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| John Beecher (C) | Ques Tues | Illness - 23 / 03 / 24 | 11-13 | 7-16-1 | + - |
|
Beecher was absent from the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Tuesday's showdown with the Panthers. |
|||||
| Brad Marchand (LW) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 24 | 11-13 | 7-16-1 | + - |
|
Marchand is expected to be available for Saturday's matchup with the Flyers despite an undefined issue. |
|||||
| James van Riemsdyk (LW) | Prob Sat | Illness - 21 / 03 / 24 | 12-13 | 8-16-1 | + - |
|
van Riemsdyk was held out of the previous game with an illness, but it is likely that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Flyers. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 May 2:24am BOS -1.5 +165 U +5.5 -130 Closing 13 May 12:53am BOS -1.5 +375 U +5.5 -155 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Panthers Team Leaders
Points 94
+ / - 56
Shots 280
Penalty Mins 104
Wins 36
GAA 2.03
Points 110
+ / - 23
Shots 382
Penalty Mins 78
Wins 25
GAA 2.53
Points 22
+ / - 9
Shots 83
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 16
GAA 2.32
Points 11
+ / - 5
Shots 41
Penalty Mins 25
Wins 6
GAA 2.15
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bruins Team Leaders
Points 94
+ / - 56
Shots 280
Penalty Mins 104
Wins 36
GAA 2.03
Points 110
+ / - 23
Shots 382
Penalty Mins 78
Wins 25
GAA 2.53
Points 22
+ / - 9
Shots 83
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 16
GAA 2.32
Points 11
+ / - 5
Shots 41
Penalty Mins 25
Wins 6
GAA 2.15
-
Injuries
Aleksander Barkov (C)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 11 / 06 / 24Sam Bennett (C)
Mid May Upper Body - 23 / 04 / 24Ryan Lomberg (LW)
Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 24Aleksander Barkov (C)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 15 / 04 / 24Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D)
Prob Sun Upper Body - 13 / 04 / 24Steven Lorentz (C)
Ques Tues Illness - 06 / 04 / 24Aaron Ekblad (D)
Prob Sun Lower Body - 02 / 04 / 24Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 24Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24Gustav Forsling (D)
Prob Tues Illness - 23 / 03 / 24Brad Marchand (LW)
Prob Fri Upper Body - 10 / 05 / 24Brandon Carlo (D)
Ques Mon Personal - 06 / 05 / 24Danton Heinen (LW)
Prob Sun Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 24Brandon Carlo (D)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 24Andrew Peeke (D)
Prob Fri Finger - 23 / 04 / 24Brandon Carlo (D)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 24Justin Brazeau (RW)
Prob Tues Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24John Beecher (C)
Ques Tues Illness - 23 / 03 / 24Brad Marchand (LW)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 24James van Riemsdyk (LW)
Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 03 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aleksander Barkov (C) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 11 / 06 / 24 2-3 4-1 + - Barkov was removed from the game with an upper body injury, but he will be available versus the the Oilers in Game 3 of the Conference Final.
Sam Bennett (C) Mid May Upper Body - 23 / 04 / 24 8-15 11-12 + - Bennett is sidelined with an upper-body injury, and he will remain out of the lineup until the middle of May.
Ryan Lomberg (LW) Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 24 8-15 11-12 + - Lomberg out of commission with an illness, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Aleksander Barkov (C) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 15 / 04 / 24 9-16 12-13 + - Barkov is managing an undefined ailment, but it is expected that he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Maple Leafs.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) Prob Sun Upper Body - 13 / 04 / 24 10-16 12-14 + - Ekman-Larsson is battling an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be available against the Lightning for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Steven Lorentz (C) Ques Tues Illness - 06 / 04 / 24 13-16 12-16-1 + - Lorentz was held out of the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will be available for Tuesday's showdown versus the Senators.
Aaron Ekblad (D) Prob Sun Lower Body - 02 / 04 / 24 13-18 14-16-1 + - Ekblad has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Lightning.
Matthew Tkachuk (LW) Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 24 13-18 14-16-1 + - Tkachuk missed the last contest due to illness, but it is predicted that he will suit up in Thursday's tilt with the Senators.
Carter Verhaeghe (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24 13-18 14-16-1 + - Verhaeghe is sidelined with an upper-body injury, and his status going forward is week-to-week.
Gustav Forsling (D) Prob Tues Illness - 23 / 03 / 24 15-22 16-20-1 + - Forsling has missed the last two games due to illness, but it is forecasted that he will face the Bruins on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brad Marchand (LW) Prob Fri Upper Body - 10 / 05 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Marchand is hampered by an upper-body injury, but he is expected to suit up against the Panthers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Brandon Carlo (D) Ques Mon Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 3-3 3-3 + - Carlo is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will face the Panthers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Danton Heinen (LW) Prob Sun Lower Body - 02 / 05 / 24 4-4 3-5 + - Heinen has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Panthers.
Brandon Carlo (D) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 24 4-4 3-5 + - Carlo is hindered by an unspecified issue, but it is expected that he will face the Maple Leafs in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Andrew Peeke (D) Prob Fri Finger - 23 / 04 / 24 6-5 3-7-1 + - Peeke is battling a finger injury, but he is expected to battle the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Brandon Carlo (D) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 24 7-7 4-9-1 + - Carlo is dealing with an undefined issue, but he is likely to be active against the Maple Leafs for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Justin Brazeau (RW) Prob Tues Upper Body - 02 / 04 / 24 10-10 5-14-1 + - Brazeau has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, but he is expected to return for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs.
John Beecher (C) Ques Tues Illness - 23 / 03 / 24 11-13 7-16-1 + - Beecher was absent from the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Tuesday's showdown with the Panthers.
Brad Marchand (LW) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 24 11-13 7-16-1 + - Marchand is expected to be available for Saturday's matchup with the Flyers despite an undefined issue.
James van Riemsdyk (LW) Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 03 / 24 12-13 8-16-1 + - van Riemsdyk was held out of the previous game with an illness, but it is likely that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Flyers.