Saturday’s Game 3 matchup between the Panthers and Capitals will be a matinee matchup as the series shifts to Washington with both teams deadlocked at one game apiece.
After a third-period comeback win by the Caps in Game 1, the Panthers bounced back with a huge 5-1 win in Game 2.
With the series now essentially a best-of-five, will the Capitals swap their starting netminder? The Panthers are -203 favourites to win Game 3 on the NHL odds, with a total of 6.5.
Panthers vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds
Uncharacteristically the first two games of this series played the Under, both times coming up just shy of the 6.5 total. In the regular season both squads played the Over 12 more times than the Under and considering some of the firepower in this matchup, the floodgates are bound to burst open.
The Caps love the playing on the weekend as they have won their past five Saturday games. They did not perform overly well at home this regular season though, posting a 19-16-6 record.
Florida has now played the Under in all of their past five playoff games, winning only two of those matchups.
With the series knotted 1-1, the Panthers are now boosted to -323 to win the series heading into the third game, up from -175 after losing Game 1. Tonight, they have a chance to lead in a playoff series for the first time since 2012.
Florida Panthers
After giving up five goals on 19 shots through two periods, Vitek Vanecek sat on the bench to begin the third period Thursday night. In his place, Ilya Samsonov stood tall, stopping all 17 shots on goal but got no help from his teammates.
Washington’s special teams have been solid in both Games 1 and 2, notching a power play marker in both games and going a perfect six-for-six on the penalty kill.
Sitting at 137 points in 143 playoff games, Alex Ovechkin has still not found the back of the net in this series but has registered two assists.
Washington Capitals
The Panthers were bitter after a few third period turnovers cost them Game 1. The cats came out with a vengeance Thursday night with five different players finding the back of the net, putting them up 5-1 by the end of the second period. They finished the game limiting the Capitals to only three shots on goal in the final frame for a huge 5-1 win.
Sergei Bobrovsky was stellar once again in Game 2, stopping 26 shots and picking up his 14th career postseason win in his 43rd appearance. The 33-year-old Russian has been solid through the first two games of the series, stopping 60 of 64 shots faced.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Panthers vs. Capitals?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 6 May 3:10am | FLA | -1.5 +124 | O +6.5 -131 |
| Closing 7 May 4:52pm | FLA | -1.5 +118 | O +6.5 -139 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Panthers Team Leaders
| Points |
115 |
| + / - |
41 |
| Shots |
241 |
| Penalty Mins |
105 |
| Wins |
39 |
| GAA |
2.67 |
| Points |
90 |
| + / - |
32 |
| Shots |
334 |
| Penalty Mins |
98 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.75 |
| Points |
12 |
| + / - |
7 |
| Shots |
38 |
| Penalty Mins |
12 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.7 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
22 |
| Penalty Mins |
16 |
| Wins |
1 |
| GAA |
2.97 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
| Points |
115 |
| + / - |
41 |
| Shots |
241 |
| Penalty Mins |
105 |
| Wins |
39 |
| GAA |
2.67 |
| Points |
90 |
| + / - |
32 |
| Shots |
334 |
| Penalty Mins |
98 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.75 |
| Points |
12 |
| + / - |
7 |
| Shots |
38 |
| Penalty Mins |
12 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.7 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
22 |
| Penalty Mins |
16 |
| Wins |
1 |
| GAA |
2.97 |
Injuries
Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Aaron Ekblad (D)
Ben Chiarot (D)
Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Mason Marchment (LW)
Mason Marchment (LW)
Aleksander Barkov (C)
Mason Marchment (LW)
MacKenzie Weegar (D)
Claude Giroux (RW)
John Carlson (D)
Dmitry Orlov (D)
Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Conor Sheary (LW)
Garnet Hathaway (RW)
John Carlson (D)
Johan Larsson (LW)
Nic Dowd (C)
Trevor van Riemsdyk (D)
T.J. Oshie (RW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Verhaeghe (C) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 19 / 05 / 22 | 0-3 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Verhaeghe is bothered by an undefined ailment, and it is up in the air if he will face the Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Aaron Ekblad (D) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Ekblad is hampered by an unknown issue, but it is anticipated that he will be active against the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Ben Chiarot (D) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Chiarot is tending to an injury to an unlisted location, but he is expected to face the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Carter Verhaeghe (C) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 22 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Verhaeghe is hindered by an injury to an unlisted location, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Capitals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Mason Marchment (LW) | Ques Wed | Lower Body - 11 / 05 / 22 | 1-5 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Marchment is battling a lower-body issue, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Lightning. |
|||||
| Mason Marchment (LW) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 22 | 2-8 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Marchment is tending to an unspecified injury, but it is likely that he will face the Capitals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Aleksander Barkov (C) | Out Fri | Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 | 3-8 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Barkov will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Mason Marchment (LW) | Out Fri | Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 | 3-8 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Marchment will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| MacKenzie Weegar (D) | Out Fri | Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 | 3-8 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Weegar will not suit up Friday versus the Canadiens, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Claude Giroux (RW) | Out Fri | Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 | 3-8 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Giroux will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Carlson (D) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 03 / 05 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Carlson is dealing with an upper-body issue, but it is projected that he will face the Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Dmitry Orlov (D) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 12 / 04 / 22 | 9-7 | 7-7-2 | + - |
|
Orlov has sat out the last two games with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Canadiens on Saturday. |
|||||
| Nicklas Backstrom (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22 | 10-7 | 8-7-2 | + - |
|
Backstrom was held out of the last game due to an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will be available for Tuesday's clash versus the Flyers. |
|||||
| Conor Sheary (LW) | Ques Sun | Illness - 08 / 04 / 22 | 11-7 | 9-7-2 | + - |
|
Sheary missed the previous game with a non-COVID-19 illness, and it is up in the air if he will face the Bruins on Sunday. |
|||||
| Garnet Hathaway (RW) | Prob Sat | Illness - 06 / 04 / 22 | 11-8 | 9-8-2 | + - |
|
Hathaway sat out the last contest due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Saturday's contest against the Penguins. |
|||||
| John Carlson (D) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 22 | 11-13 | 13-9-2 | + - |
|
Carlson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but it is projected that he will take the ice for Tuesday's matchup against the Blues. |
|||||
| Johan Larsson (LW) | Mid April | Hernia - 22 / 03 / 22 | 11-13 | 13-9-2 | + - |
|
Larsson has been moved to the injured reserve list after undergoing surgery to correct a sports hernia, and he is expected to be out of the lineup until at least the middle of April. |
|||||
| Nic Dowd (C) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 19 / 03 / 22 | 12-13 | 14-9-2 | + - |
|
Dowd has been idle with a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will return to the lineup against the Wild on Sunday. |
|||||
| Trevor van Riemsdyk (D) | Prob Sun | Upper Body - 19 / 03 / 22 | 12-13 | 14-9-2 | + - |
|
van Riemsdyk has been assigned to the injured reserve list due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be activated prior to Sunday's clash with the Wild. |
|||||
| T.J. Oshie (RW) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 22 | 13-14 | 16-9-2 | + - |
|
Oshie has been absent from the last four games with a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for Saturday's clash with the Devils. |
|||||
-
FLORIDA PANTHERS
6 -
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
5
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 May 3:10am FLA -1.5 +124 O +6.5 -131 Closing 7 May 4:52pm FLA -1.5 +118 O +6.5 -139 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Panthers Team Leaders
Points 115
+ / - 41
Shots 241
Penalty Mins 105
Wins 39
GAA 2.67
Points 90
+ / - 32
Shots 334
Penalty Mins 98
Wins 23
GAA 1.75
Points 12
+ / - 7
Shots 38
Penalty Mins 12
Wins 4
GAA 2.7
Points 7
+ / - 3
Shots 22
Penalty Mins 16
Wins 1
GAA 2.97
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
Points 115
+ / - 41
Shots 241
Penalty Mins 105
Wins 39
GAA 2.67
Points 90
+ / - 32
Shots 334
Penalty Mins 98
Wins 23
GAA 1.75
Points 12
+ / - 7
Shots 38
Penalty Mins 12
Wins 4
GAA 2.7
Points 7
+ / - 3
Shots 22
Penalty Mins 16
Wins 1
GAA 2.97
-
Injuries
Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 19 / 05 / 22Aaron Ekblad (D)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22Ben Chiarot (D)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22Carter Verhaeghe (C)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 22Mason Marchment (LW)
Ques Wed Lower Body - 11 / 05 / 22Mason Marchment (LW)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 22Aleksander Barkov (C)
Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22Mason Marchment (LW)
Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22MacKenzie Weegar (D)
Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22Claude Giroux (RW)
Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22John Carlson (D)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 03 / 05 / 22Dmitry Orlov (D)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 12 / 04 / 22Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22Conor Sheary (LW)
Ques Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22Garnet Hathaway (RW)
Prob Sat Illness - 06 / 04 / 22John Carlson (D)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 22Johan Larsson (LW)
Mid April Hernia - 22 / 03 / 22Nic Dowd (C)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 03 / 22Trevor van Riemsdyk (D)
Prob Sun Upper Body - 19 / 03 / 22T.J. Oshie (RW)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Carter Verhaeghe (C) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 19 / 05 / 22 0-3 0-3 + - Verhaeghe is bothered by an undefined ailment, and it is up in the air if he will face the Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Aaron Ekblad (D) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22 0-4 1-3 + - Ekblad is hampered by an unknown issue, but it is anticipated that he will be active against the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Ben Chiarot (D) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 22 0-4 1-3 + - Chiarot is tending to an injury to an unlisted location, but he is expected to face the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Carter Verhaeghe (C) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 22 1-4 2-3 + - Verhaeghe is hindered by an injury to an unlisted location, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Capitals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Mason Marchment (LW) Ques Wed Lower Body - 11 / 05 / 22 1-5 2-4 + - Marchment is battling a lower-body issue, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Lightning.
Mason Marchment (LW) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 01 / 05 / 22 2-8 4-6 + - Marchment is tending to an unspecified injury, but it is likely that he will face the Capitals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Aleksander Barkov (C) Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 3-8 4-7 + - Barkov will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest.
Mason Marchment (LW) Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 3-8 4-7 + - Marchment will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest.
MacKenzie Weegar (D) Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 3-8 4-7 + - Weegar will not suit up Friday versus the Canadiens, as he will be given a day of rest.
Claude Giroux (RW) Out Fri Rest - 29 / 04 / 22 3-8 4-7 + - Giroux will not battle the Canadiens on Friday, as he will receive a day of rest.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes John Carlson (D) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 03 / 05 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Carlson is dealing with an upper-body issue, but it is projected that he will face the Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dmitry Orlov (D) Ques Sat Lower Body - 12 / 04 / 22 9-7 7-7-2 + - Orlov has sat out the last two games with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Canadiens on Saturday.
Nicklas Backstrom (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 22 10-7 8-7-2 + - Backstrom was held out of the last game due to an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will be available for Tuesday's clash versus the Flyers.
Conor Sheary (LW) Ques Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22 11-7 9-7-2 + - Sheary missed the previous game with a non-COVID-19 illness, and it is up in the air if he will face the Bruins on Sunday.
Garnet Hathaway (RW) Prob Sat Illness - 06 / 04 / 22 11-8 9-8-2 + - Hathaway sat out the last contest due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Saturday's contest against the Penguins.
John Carlson (D) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 22 / 03 / 22 11-13 13-9-2 + - Carlson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but it is projected that he will take the ice for Tuesday's matchup against the Blues.
Johan Larsson (LW) Mid April Hernia - 22 / 03 / 22 11-13 13-9-2 + - Larsson has been moved to the injured reserve list after undergoing surgery to correct a sports hernia, and he is expected to be out of the lineup until at least the middle of April.
Nic Dowd (C) Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 03 / 22 12-13 14-9-2 + - Dowd has been idle with a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will return to the lineup against the Wild on Sunday.
Trevor van Riemsdyk (D) Prob Sun Upper Body - 19 / 03 / 22 12-13 14-9-2 + - van Riemsdyk has been assigned to the injured reserve list due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be activated prior to Sunday's clash with the Wild.
T.J. Oshie (RW) Ques Sat Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 22 13-14 16-9-2 + - Oshie has been absent from the last four games with a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for Saturday's clash with the Devils.