Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Betting Preview: Golden Knights vs Panthers Odds, Picks, Prediction (June 8)

Stanley Cup Final Game 3: Golden Knights vs. Panthers Odds

Given how easily the Florida Panthers walked through the Eastern Conference gauntlet, I think most expected this series to be closer. Well, it seems as if the Vegas Golden Knights have solved the Panthers. The Knights hold a 2-0 series lead as the Stanley Cup Final shifts to Florida, but the Panthers will be looking to get back in the series in front of their home fans.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my betting prediction for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers.

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Vegas Golden Knights

It’s been the Jonathan Marchessault show throughout the playoffs and he's shown no signs of slowing down. Marchessault is averaging a goal per game in his past 12 games (and is a sneaky good bet to win the Conn Smythe). Marchessault and Jack Eichel are Vegas’ most dangerous players, as both are averaging well over a point per game.

We also can't forget about the Knights’ fourth line. William Carrier, Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar have given Florida nightmares, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them cause havoc yet again.

The Knights have done an incredible job of getting to Sergei Bobrovsky. They’ve been able to block his line of sight and have made his job almost impossible. The Knights have received some puck-luck, but their success has mostly been due to their positioning and work on special teams.

Vegas has also done well to stay out of the penalty box. The Knights have had a terrible penalty kill all playoffs but have been able to avoid penalties thus far.

It seems that Adin Hill's stunning paddle save on Nick Cousins in Game 1 was a sign of things to come. The 27-year-old netminder has looked calm, cool and collected ever since taking the reins in the playoffs. Hill has shut down Florida and is playing to a .937 SV% with +7.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx).

Florida Panthers

The Panthers need to change their strategy if they want to have a chance at winning it all. All playoffs, their ability to get under an opponent's skin has paid off, but Vegas isn’t flinching. Florida's physicality has been matched, and the Knights aren’t buying into the mind games. At five-on-five, Florida has a slight advantage, playing to a 52.11 xGF%, but the 2-0 deficit is proving that doesn’t mean much.

For that to change, the Panthers need to get results, starting with Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk had a garbage goal late in the third period in Game 2, but he has mostly been a non-factor on the scoreboard. Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov have been invisible and Brandon Montour is pointless in his past 10 games.

The Panthers have had a great power play throughout the playoffs, but it's useless if Vegas stays out of the box. A change of venue can always alter the course, but the Knights’ discipline is hard to ignore.

Additionally, Florida's penalty kill hasn’t been ideal and has let up three power play goals in this series.

The 11-day layover prior to the Stanley Cup Final seems to have ruined Bobrovksy's mojo. He's playing to a .785 SV% and was pulled in Game 2.

Golden Knights vs. Panthers Pick

Game 3 will make or break this series. I think the extra day off helps the Panthers a lot more than most believe. Coach Paul Maurice is one of the better motivators in the league, and an extra day to solve the Golden Knights might be just what the doctor ordered.

Of course, it’ll be hard to solve Hill, who has stopped 62 of the 66 shots thrown his way. However, despite his incredible postseason showing, I think Hill is due for a clunker. There were a few games against Edmonton and Dallas where Hill has looked human, and I think Game 3 in Florida will be that spot in this series.

It's hard to envision Vegas folding. I can see them making it interesting, even pushing this game into overtime, but in the end, it will be the Panthers sending the hometown faithful home happy.

Pick: Florida Moneyline | Bonus Bet: 60-minute Tie (+350)

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