2023 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers Odds
As the 2023 Stanley Cup finals approach, we’ve got the ultimate faceoff on our hands – the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Florida Panthers. Both teams have battled valiantly this season, and for the first time in their history, one will hoist the coveted Stanley Cup. Here’s everything you need to know before the puck drops on Saturday, June 3.
2023 NHL Finals Preview: Golden Knights vs. Panthers
The Knights secured their place in the Finals following an impressive win in Game 6, setting the stage for the championship series against the Panthers. With the Knights boasting a stronger regular-season record, they’ll enjoy the home-ice advantage for Games 1 and 2, as well as 5 and 7, if necessary.
Oddsmakers have slightly tipped the scale in favor of the Knights, marking them as -135 favorites for the finals. Meanwhile, the Panthers are positioned as underdogs, coming back at +105.
Don’t let the underdog label fool you. The Panthers have roared their way through the playoffs with determination and skill. After a rough start against the record-setting Boston Bruins, they managed an amazing comeback from a 3-1 deficit, eliminating the Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Keep an eye on Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk, the off-season acquisition that’s led the Panthers in both goals (9) and assists (12) throughout the postseason. He currently sits second in the NHL playoffs scoring 21 points, which is only surpassed by the Dallas Stars’ Roope Hintz. Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, and Carter Verhaeghe have also made significant scoring contributions, while captain Aleksander Barkov has been a consistent force with four goals and 10 assists.
But let’s not discount the Knights’ stellar performance this season. Although not always dominating game-to-game, they have yet to face a deficit in a series since their initial loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Vegas finished the regular season as the best in the Western Conference, knocking off the Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars on the way to the Finals. They have also enjoyed a 6-3 home-ice advantage during the playoffs.
Jack Eichel, despite previous criticisms, has been the Knights’ shining star this postseason, leading the team with 18 points in just 16 games. Their depth, however, is what truly sets them apart. Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and William Karlsson all boast eight playoff goals, with six Vegas players tallying at least six goals during the playoffs.
Historically, both the Panthers and Knights have defended home ice successfully. They met twice in the regular season, each securing a victory at home. Will this trend continue in the Finals, or will the Panthers manage to break serve?
Keep an eye on all of BettingPros’ NHL Finals articles, including PrizePicks player predictions, player prop bet suggestions, and game-by-game wagers.
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AI was used to assist with this article.