Stanley Cup Rematch: Florida Panthers vs Vegas Golden Knights Part Two
Check Out the Panthers vs Knights Spread Preview
The Florida Panthers (23-12-2, 48 points) may be getting the Vegas Golden Knights (22-11-5. 49 points) at the right time after returning home from the spectacle that is the Winter Classic. The Panthers already own a victory over the Knights this season when they held Vegas scoreless over the last 20 minutes to score a confidence-building 4-2 win.
Oddsmakers have made the Panthers a -115 favorite. The total is 6 (over -112). Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena and can be seen on the Scripps Network or Bally Sports Florida.
Let’s start our Panthers vs Knights spreads analysis with a deeper look at the Stanley Cup runner-up in 2023.
Florida Panthers vs Vegas Golden Knights 
Location: T-Mobile Arena
Day/Time:
Streaming: Scribbs Network, Bally Sports Florida
Vegas Poked The Panther
It wasn’t anything the Golden Knight said that gave the Florida Panthers a needed dose of confidence, it was more about getting a chip off their shoulder that had been there since the Knights celebrated their first Cup win on home ice. Getting a win in their first meeting was massive, and it ignited a 5-game winning streak to pull the Cats within four points of the Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division.
As needed as that game against the Knights signified a turning point for Paul Maurice’s team, one final mystery needs to be solved and that’s can Florida win at the Fortress. To be honest, the Panthers were favored in each of their last five games, adding another layer of significance to Thursday’s clash. The Panthers are coming off a 4-1 win against the Coyotes when they turned a tight, physical affair into a comfortable victory.
Of note, Nick Cousins left the game after taking a massive hit from behind from Jason Zucker. Florida has been an underdog just 10 times this season, losing six times and 2-5 as a road dog. If the Panthers finish in the upper half of the NHL playoff standings, they may be able to look to these two games against the Golden Knights as to why they’ll enjoy a high seed in the postseason. We continue our Panthers vs Knights spreads analysis by turning our attention to the VGK.
Knights held Scoreless In Winters Classic
As bettors, we know not to put too much emphasis on outdoor games because the circumstances provide an unnatural environment. The netminders have to deal with glare and depth perception after the rest of the teams show up dressed up as their version of Elvis. It’s supposed to be fun, and it was. The most concerning part is the bigger picture for Bruce Cassidy’s team who has now lost five of their last six games.
All five losses came on the road with their lone win at home against the Los Angeles Kings, but that win provided a band-aid for a potentially much larger wound that is starting to smell like a much different NHL hockey season than last. There’s no reason for panic because Vegas still has tremendous depth, but is not getting any production from their blue line in the previous five games with Alec Martinez scoring once.
You can bet the Golden Knights will be active come the trade deadline because this team isn’t good enough to repeat as is. We conclude with our official selection.
Public Throwing Cash At Florida
Early betting patterns have knocked this line down as much as 20 cents in some spots. The public thinks the Panthers are playing better, and the Knights will have a difficult time coming back from the high of the Winter Classic. These are all potential factors, but we’ve watched this Golden Knights team from day one under Bruce Cassidy, and we can guarantee that they will go back to playing a lockdown brand of defense.
Defending is what Cassidy always leans on after a poor performance. Wait to see who the goaltenders will be after the morning skate, but we’re putting our cash behind the Knights, sending almost every bettor to the garbage can. Let the public continue to pound the Panthers to get the best of this number, which can also be included in any NHL parlays.
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