The Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers are set to face off in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in what has been a tightly contested matchup so far.
The odds for Game 3 heavily favor the Bruins, who are listed as -165 favorites at most sportsbooks. This is likely due to their strong performance in Game 2, where they dominated the Panthers en route to a 4-1 victory. However, it’s important to note that the Panthers were without their starting goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, for that game.
Speaking of goaltenders, both teams will be relying heavily on their netminders in Game 3. For the Bruins, Tuukka Rask is expected to get the start after a solid performance in Game 2. Rask stopped 23 of 24 shots and looked calm and composed throughout the game. He’ll need to be just as sharp in Game 3 if the Bruins hope to take a 2-1 series lead.
On the other side of the ice, the Panthers will be hoping that Bobrovsky is healthy enough to return to the lineup. The former Vezina Trophy winner missed Game 2 due to an injury, and his absence was felt as the Panthers struggled to generate offense. If Bobrovsky can’t go, backup Chris Driedger will likely get the nod. Driedger has been solid this season, but he doesn’t have the same level of experience as Bobrovsky.
So, who will come out on top in Game 3? It’s tough to say for sure, as both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the series. However, if Bobrovsky is able to play and performs well, the Panthers could have the edge. They have a potent offense led by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, and if they can get some goals past Rask, they’ll be in good shape.
That being said, the Bruins have been one of the best teams in the league all season long, and they have the talent and experience to win this series. If they can continue to play the way they did in Game 2, they should be able to take Game 3 and gain the upper hand in the series.
Overall, this should be an exciting game between two talented teams. The Bruins are favored for a reason, but the Panthers have the potential to pull off an upset if they can get their offense going. Regardless of who comes out on top, fans can expect a hard-fought battle between two teams that are hungry for playoff success.