The Stanley Cup Final is upon us and Vegas Golden Knights VS Florida Panthers play in a game that’ll determine Florida’s first title in its history.
Florida was the last team to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference but has gotten fired up at the right time to deliver an incredible run.
Vegas ended the year with the best record in the Western Conference and have ridden smoothly through the playoffs to reach the Final for the second time in 5 years.
Both teams intend to begin the series strong and take Game One and this series should be a good one as a result.
If you need Prediction today for the Knights VS Panthers, use MatchPlug’s NHL Predictions today listed in this preview. We have picks, odds, and analysis too.
Betting Preview for Vegas Golden Knights VS Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Finals Game One
- Venue: American Airlines, Center, Dallas.
- Date: Thursday, May 25th, 2023
- Time: 17:00 GMT
- Teams to play: Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.
- NHL Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 2.304
Odds as provided by 1XBet and BetMGM.
Betting On The Vegas Golden Knights
- 1XBet Spread: 0
- 1XBet Total: Over 5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 2.304
- BetMGM Spread: -1.5
- BetMGM Total: Under 5.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 1.77
The Vegas Golden Knights are ticking all the boxes in this game with their offense rising to the challenge and scoring 3.64 goals per game during playoffs.
Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault have scored 15 goals and 20 assists to head the top line but the offense has been impressive generally. Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone, and William Karlsson combine for 22 goals and 22 assists.
Vegas’ defense has been good too, permitting 2.64 goals per game with a shutout in their last win. Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore share a goal and 15 assists from the point to put the team’s offense over the top. Pietrangelo and Alec Martinez led the top pairing while Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and Zach Whitecloud have added depth to the unit, creating turnovers in all three zones and limiting shots on the net.
Additionally, goalie Adin Hill has been good in the playoffs with a .937 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average on 333 shots with 10.4 goals saved above average.
Betting On The Florida Panthers
- 1XBet Spread: 0
- 1XBet Total: Under 5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 2.768
- BetMGM Spread: +1.5
- BetMGM Total: Over 5.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 2.10
The Florida Panthers put together a last-minute run with their offense sitting up and scoring 50 goals.
Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Carter Verheghe scored 19 goals and 31 assists to head the top two lines but the other offense members have been good. Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and Anthony Duclair share 14 goals and 17 assists.
On the other hand, Florida’s defense carries the team, allowing just 2.68 goals per game in the playoffs plus 6 goals in their sweep in the recent series. Brandon Montour added 6 goals and 3 assists from the point to open up the defense. Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad led the top pairings, while Montour, Radko Gudas and Josh Mahura add depth to the unit, creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net.
In addition, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been excellent in the playoff with a .935 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average on 504 shots with 14.5 goals saved above average.
MatchPlug Prediction
Florida Panthers proved the naysayers wrong throughout the playoffs and looks to begin the Stanley Cup Final with a road upset. But, Vegas Golden Knights dominated in the playoffs and want to control today’s game on both ends of the ice.
Vegas is averaging 3.64 goals per game, they should bring on the goals with Eichel, Stone, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with swift passes and effective puck movement.
The Golden Knights are allowing just 2.56 goals per game in the playoffs, they will limit the Panthers’ offense with Pietrangelo, Martinez and the other defensive unit members creating turnovers in the defensive zone obstructing shots on the net. This should allow Hill to make plenty of big saves.
Vegas Golden Knights should win Game One with a powerful performance on their home ice.
