Panthers vs. Bruins Game 5 Odds
| Panthers Odds | +198 |
| Bruins Odds | –245 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
The Boston Bruins went to Florida and came away with two statement victories to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this series. They now have the opportunity to close this series out on home ice. The Panthers won't make it easy on them, especially since elimination games typically provide the most pressure, but I don't see the Bruins losing this game.
Even though the scoreboard was lopsided in Game 4, it didn't necessarily feel like a 6-2 blowout. I don't want to disrespect the Panthers, but I think Boston will absolutely steamroll them and advance to the next round.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers would be much more competitive in this series if they could figure out their special teams.
Entering this game, the Panthers have the second-worst power play, converting at just a 9.1%, which is utterly horrendous. They're also skating to the seventh-worst penalty kill, which is at a 71.4% success rating.
To be successful in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, teams need strong goaltending and good special teams. Lately, the Panthers haven't gotten either. As a team, they're allowing 4.00 goals against per game and they haven't announced a starting goalie for this game yet, but I would think they're going to go back to Alex Lyon.
Lyon played the first three games of this series and did fairly well, skating to a .902 save percentage and a 3.26 goals-against average. Sergei Bobrovsky started Game 4 and it wasn't a good showing. He allowed five goals on 30 shots faced and I wouldn't advise starting Bobrovsky for this game.
The Panthers just don't seem to have the personnel to climb back against the Bruins and I don't see them sticking around long in this game.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins have had some adversity in this series with injuries to Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, but they have slapped the adversity right in the face, showing why they were a record-setting team this year.
The Bruins decided to go back to Linus Ullmark for Game 4 after giving Jeremy Swayman the nod in Game 3. Ullmark didn't disappoint. He made 41 saves on 43 shots and improved his playoff numbers to a .926 save percentage and a 2.55 goals against average.
The biggest difference in this series has been Boston's contributions throughout the lineup. As a team, they're scoring 4.00 goals per game and have six players producing a point per game.
This team is simply too deep. They have a chance to close the series at home and I don't see them letting this opportunity slip away.
Panthers vs. Bruins Pick
I guarantee the Bruins don't want to have to play any more games than they need to. They understand the importance of closing this series out in five games to get some extra rest before the start of the second round.
Boston didn't necessarily dominate the last game, but still found a way to win in pretty convincing fashion.
It's tough to think the Panthers will win two of three games at TD Garden as Boston has been strong on home ice all year. I think the Bruins win the series and cover the puck line.
Pick: Boston Bruins -1.5 (+100) |
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