Boston, Rare Home Dog For Game 3 Against Florida
Panthers vs Bruins Odds Have Boston as a Home Underdog First Time Since 2008
Florida Won Three Times On the Road to Eliminate the Bruins in the 2023 Playoff Series
Now the matchup between Atlantic Division rivals Boston and Florida feels like a series after there were 144 penalty minutes handed out in the Panthers’ Game 2 win. The Panthers vs Bruins odds favor visiting Florida in Game 2 as the series shifts to Boston.
The 6-1 win by the Panthers in Game 2 was the first victory for Florida in six meetings with Boston this season. The Panthers have won their last three playoff games in Boston.
The NHL lines have the Panthers at -125 to win Game 3 outright with another multi-goal win paying out at +210. Boston is at +105 as the Bruins are a home underdog in the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
The Panthers have moved to -180 in the series odds after the Game 2 win. Florida is tied for second at +450 in the Stanley Cup odds with Boston tied with Vancouver at +1100 odds for the longest odds among the teams still in the playoffs.
When looking at the NHL bracket, the winner of this series will meet either the New York Rangers or Carolina Hurricanes with a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals on the line.
Panthers vs Bruins 
Records: Florida Panthers (57-26-6) at Boston Bruins (52-23-16)
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Day/Time: Streaming: TNT
Panthers Starting to Growl
Florida is at its best when things get nasty at this time of the year and that was certainly the case in Game 2. The first penalty of the game was called at the 17-second mark and 12 misconduct penalties were handed out in the third period.
Lost in all of that was that veteran center Aleksander Barkov had two goals and two assists in Game 3 to give him four goals, four assists, and a +4 defensive rating over his last three playoff games. That could play a role in the Panthers vs Bruins odds in Game 3.
Barkov also played a key role in Boston being limited to 15 shots on goal in Game 3.
Florida has won eight of its last 10 games against Atlantic Division teams.
Bruins Happy to Return Home
The Bruins bounced back to regain control of the first-round series thanks to a pair of goals in the third period from Brad Marchand.
After a dreadful showing in Game 2 with a chance to head back to Boston up 2-0 in the series with Florida, the Bruins need to display their resiliency. Boston had lost five straight home playoff games before taking Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on an overtime goal by David Pastrnak.
In Game 2, Marchand and Pastrnak combined for one shot on goal and 25 penalty minutes and that is not a recipe for success. Keep that in mind when it comes to the Panthers vs Bruins odds.
Six of Boston’s last seven home games landed under the total.
Panthers vs Bruins Injury Update
Forward Sam Bennett could be getting closer to a return for the Panthers while forward Ryan Lomberg continues to be sidelined.
Winger Danton Heinen and defenseman Andrew Peeke are out for the Bruins.
Panthers vs Bruins Betting Preview
Things started to turn in Florida’s favor in last year’s series when Boston fell into the trap of engaging in the post-whistle scrums. Florida loves that style of play and the Bruins need to show more composure than they did in Game 2.
The best part about equaling the series for Florida was chasing red-hot goalie Jeremy Swayman. He allowed four goals on 23 shots. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark wasn’t much better with two goals being scored, one while Boston was on the power play, on 10 shots.
When looking at the NHL best bets, Boston lost its only game as a home underdog this season. Florida is 23-6 outright and 18-11 against the puck line as the road favorite this season.
Florida is 50-22-2 as a favorite this season compared to a 7-7-4 mark by the Bruins as the underdog.
The Panthers have covered 28 of the 43 road games this season but just 16 of those games finished over the total. Keep that in mind with the total at 5.5 in Game 3.
The total has gone over in Florida’s last five games and four of the last six road games.
Twelve of the last 17 games between the Bruins and the Panthers went over the total. This includes both games in this series.
Expect a tight-checking affair in Game 3 with Boston looking to limit the power-play chances for the Panthers.
Boston has won seven of its last 10 games at home against the Panthers. This feels like a much more important game for the Bruins than the Panthers. A loss in Game 3 will put the Bruins in the position of needing to win at least once on the road in the remainder of the series.
Panthers vs Bruins Betting Lines
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