The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and one of the most exciting matchups in the first round is the series between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins. Both teams had strong regular seasons, and this series promises to be a hard-fought battle. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the Panthers vs Bruins series, including predictions, odds, and schedule.
Regular Season Matchups
Before we dive into the playoff series, let’s take a quick look at how these teams fared against each other during the regular season. The Panthers and Bruins faced off eight times, with each team winning four games. However, it’s worth noting that the Panthers won the last three matchups, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent game on May 1st.
Panthers vs Bruins Playoff Series Schedule
The Panthers vs Bruins series is a best-of-seven matchup, with the winner advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
Game 1: Sunday, May 16th at 7:30 PM ET in Sunrise, FL
Game 2: Tuesday, May 18th at 8:00 PM ET in Sunrise, FL
Game 3: Thursday, May 20th at 6:30 PM ET in Boston, MA
Game 4: Saturday, May 22nd at 8:00 PM ET in Boston, MA
Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, May 24th at TBD in Sunrise, FL
Game 6 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 26th at TBD in Boston, MA
Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, May 28th at TBD in Sunrise, FL
Panthers vs Bruins Playoff Series Predictions
So, who will come out on top in this series? It’s tough to say for sure, as both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. However, here are a few factors to consider:
Offense: The Panthers have one of the most potent offenses in the league, led by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. They finished the regular season with the fifth-most goals scored in the NHL. The Bruins, on the other hand, had a more middling offense, finishing 16th in the league in goals scored. However, they do have some dangerous scorers in Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.
Defense: The Bruins have a slight edge on defense, finishing the regular season with the fourth-fewest goals allowed in the league. They also have a strong goaltender in Tuukka Rask, who has been one of the best netminders in the NHL for years. The Panthers’ defense is solid but not quite as strong as Boston’s, and their goaltending situation is a bit more uncertain.
Special Teams: Both teams had solid special teams during the regular season. The Panthers had the eighth-best power play in the league, while the Bruins had the 10th-best penalty kill.
Overall, this series looks like it could be a close one. The Panthers have a slight edge on offense, while the Bruins have a slight edge on defense. However, if Florida’s goaltending can hold up and their special teams continue to perform well, they could come out on top. Our prediction: Panthers in seven games.
Panthers vs Bruins Playoff Series Odds
According to odds from BetMGM, the Bruins are currently favored to win the series at -150, while the Panthers are listed at +125. This means that if you bet $100 on Boston to win, you would win $66.67 if they come out on top. If you bet $100 on Florida to win, you would win $125 if they pull off the upset.
Conclusion
The Panthers vs Bruins series promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. With a strong offense and solid special teams, the Panthers have a good chance of coming out on top if their goaltending can hold up. However, the Bruins’ strong defense and goaltending make them a tough opponent. It should be a close series, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it plays out.