Florida Panthers (54-38-8) vs Vegas Golden Knights (65-26-10)
Game Info: Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 8:00 pm (FLA Live Arena)
Betting Odds: Florida Panthers -120 / Vegas Golden Knights +100 --- Over/Under: 6 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Vegas Golden Knights will play the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
Golden Knights Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights have won the first two games in this series by scores of 5-2 and 7-2 on home ice. Vegas has played very well to start this series and they will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in this game. Vegas led 4-0 at the end of the second period in Game 2 and was able to add three more goals in the third period. Vegas recorded 28 shots on goal and went 2-4 on the power play in the Game 2 win. Jack Eichel has led the Golden Knights this postseason with six goals, 16 assists, and 62 shots on goal, while Jonathan Marchessault has added 12 goals, nine assists, and 69 shots. Adin Hill is 9-3 this postseason with a 2.06 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.
Panthers Preview
The Florida Panthers return home and are looking for anything to turn this series around. The Panthers know this is virtually a must win game, but can they improve their defense in this game? Florida received great goaltending from Bobrovsky in the last two rounds, but he has allowed quite a few goals in just two games against Vegas. Florida recorded 31 shots on goal and went 0-4 on the power play in the Game 2 loss. Matthew Tkachuk has led the Panthers this postseason with 10 goals, 12 assists, and 54 shots, while Carter Verhaeghe has added nine goals, 15 assists, and 49 shots on goal. Sergei Bobrovsky is 11-4 this postseason with a 2.50 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.
Trends
Vegas is 7-2 in their last 9 road games and 36-16 in their last 52 Thursday games. The over is 4-0 in Vegas’ last 4 games. Florida is 11-3 in their last 14 games and 6-2 in their last 8 games played on two days of rest. The under is 8-3 in Florida’s last 11 games. The home team is 11-1 in these two teams last 12 head to head meetings.
Pick
Florida comes into this game in dire need of a win, and they will be at home as they try to get it. The Panthers need to play much better in the defensive zone, like they did against Toronto and Carolina. Vegas has looked very good in the first two games of this series, but I do think Florida takes this game at home to keep this series tight. Take the Panthers here.
David’s Pick Panthers ML
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
