Written by Graeme on Saturday, June 10th, 2023
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The Florida Panthers were able to get the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime in a crucial Game 3.
It didn’t really feel like a momentum shifter, but it was still a big win with that late goal to take it to OT, where they are specialists.
Odds are closer this time, with it being a pure pickem.
Here are our thoughts:
Knights vs Panthers:
Scott: With their season basically on the line the Panthers found a way to pick up a crucial win in overtime.
The Panthers have more overtime wins than they do regulation wins in this postseason going 7-0 in extra time.
Marchessault scored again for the Knights and now has 13 goals in his last 13 playoff games. Hill was again solid for the Knights.
Tkachuk was huge for the Panthers which is what we have come to expect. He took a big hit from Kolesar and left the game to get checked out and cleared to return. Bobrovsky started after getting pulled in game 2 and he played well.
There isn’t really much left to say. The Panthers are down 2-1 and are still at home for this game. They should have the momentum on their side and tie the series up to make it a best of 3. But I’m not tipping this game. They didn’t tie the last game until late in the 3rd. I did pick the Panthers to win the series and now they have some life but they still have a long way to go and a win here would be massive. I want to take the Panthers but am skipping.
Graeme: I’ve already said it but I’m pretty much done betting this series. Nothing has really popped out at me even on the player props.
Looking at the advanced metrics, a lot of them lean in favour of the Panthers but they still aren’t converting the way they should.
I feel like I’d rather take the Knights if anything. Same old story they have just proven to be more clinical. I just have more faith in their offense than I do anything else.
To WIN moneyline: Vegas
Florida made no effort to try to stay out of the penalty box in Game 3 and they’ll be streaming back there today. To make things run quicker, the Panthers owners should be required to build an elevated conveyor belt between their team’s bench and the penalty box, so officials can instruct players where to go before they waste people’s time on the ice.
I think Vegas has the clear edge in talent, size, speed, depth, cohesion, mission and self-discipline, while Florida provides a manic beer-league gusto from 1+ lines that Vegas is well prepared to neutralize. Having just lost a game, they’ll come out more resolute to control things permanently.
It’s going to be tough selecting any further bets. Not touching the Over/Under, and Props may trend to Under options apart from “shots”?