NHL Playoffs: Our Betting Preview for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals

Thursday night’s Stanley Cup Finals matchup could determine how this series will play out. The Vegas Golden Knights have looked like the better team so far, winning the first two games of the series and outscoring the Panthers 12-4. While Game 1 was close, it has looked like Vegas is set to cruise to their first Stanley Cup.

Florida will have a great chance to turn that momentum around tonight at home. We know the Panthers have beaten the best teams in the NHL, but they have shrunk in the spotlight of hockey’s biggest event. A win tonight could put them right back into the series, while a loss could effectively end their incredible run.

With so much on the line tonight, we are breaking down the puck line, goal total, and moneyline odds to give you a clear picture before placing your bets on tonight’s game. If you are looking for help with your Stanley Cup betting, we have you covered.

Odds Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook

The puck line for Game 3 carries some monster odds as US sportsbooks signal that they believe this will be a close game. These odds essentially eliminate the value of Vegas +1.5, as puck lines are already notoriously difficult to cover with goalies being pulled at the end of games.

That leaves the Panthers puck line as the only bet worth considering here. The odds provide a ton of value, but it’s hard to trust Florida to win big considering their play in the first two games. On top of that, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky appears to have cooled off from his hot streak during the playoffs. The veteran allowed four goals in both of his starts and was pulled in the second period in Game 2 due to poor play. Goalie play is critical for covering the puck line, so we recommend looking at other bets for tonight.

The goal total is set at 6.0, which is surprising given how the first two games went. The teams combined to score seven goals in Game 1 and nine in Game 2. Those are impressive totals, which aren’t surprising given Vegas’ firepower and the struggles of Bobrovsky. The odds don’t offer a ton of value, but all signs from the first two games point to the over being the best bet.

Before you place that bet, it’s important to see why bookmakers have this total set so low. The 6.0 total likely came from the play of these two teams on the road and at home. The Knights are averaging 4.0 goals per game on the road during the playoffs, while the Panthers are averaging just 2.9 goals at home. The Panthers’ average is the most telling, as their offense has been better on the road. We see the under bet as a risky choice considering that average and the poor play of Bobrovsky.

Despite the results of the first two games, hockey betting sites still believe the Panthers to be the favorites at home tonight. However, the Panthers have been far better on the road (8-1) than at home (4-3) before the Finals. That isn’t too surprising, given that home-ice advantage is less of a factor than in other pro sports.

Vegas seems to carry the most value here, especially considering they are 6-2 on the road during the playoffs. They have also won their first road game in all three of their playoff series, outscoring their opponents 14-5. Vegas has the better goalie in Aidan Hill, who is 9-3 with a .937 save percentage during their postseason won. He is allowing just 2.06 goals per game, which is bad news for a Florida team that has struggled to score at home.