If you’ve been following the Stanley Cup Final, you know the Vegas Golden Knights have been crushing it. With a 12-4 combined score in the first two games against the Florida Panthers, it’s hard not to get hyped about their chances in Game 3. As a dedicated fan and sports analyst, I’m here to tell you why you should be all in on the Knights taking the W in this crucial matchup.
Before we get to our picks for this game in the NHL playoffs, you will want to check out our list of the best hockey betting sites and the Vegas odds for the ongoing 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
First things first, let’s talk about the Panthers. Sure, they had an impressive sweep against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, but that nine-day layoff has done more harm than good. They’re currently down 2-0 in the series and desperately want to bounce back in Game 3. However, history isn’t on their side, as only five teams have ever won the Cup after losing the first two games of the Final, the most recent being the 2011 Boston Bruins.
Now, let’s talk about the leading man for the Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk. He entered the Final as the second-leading scorer this postseason with a franchise playoff-record 21 points and the leader in game-winning goals with four. But, so far in this series, he’s been racking up penalty minutes instead of issues, with 36 PIMs, including three 10-minute misconducts. If Tkachuk can’t channel his energy into scoring goals, the Panthers will have difficulty clawing their way back into this series.
On the flip side, the Vegas Golden Knights have been on fire, tying the record for the most goals over the first two Final games during the expansion era. They’ve shown time and time again that when they score at least three goals in a playoff game, they win – and they’ve done it in all 14 of their playoff games this season. With such a consistent track record, it’s hard not to feel confident in their ability to keep the momentum going in Game 3.
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One player to watch on the Knights’ roster is Jonathan Marchessault. This guy is on a seven-game point streak, having scored two goals and an assist in Game 2 and netting 12 goals in his last 12 games. At 400 odds, he’s a solid pick to score in Game 3, and if he keeps up his hot streak, the Panthers will have a tough time stopping the Knights from running away with the game.
The current odds at BetUS have the Panthers as a -120 favorite, meaning you’d have to risk $120 to win $100. However, with how the Knights have been playing and the Panthers’ struggles in the series so far, it’s hard not to see the value in betting on Vegas to take Game 3 and put themselves in an even stronger position to win the series.
As a quick note, our model, which simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, is leaning Over on the total goals for this game, set at 6. So, if you’re looking for an exciting, high-scoring game, this one should be right up your alley.
The Vegas Golden Knights have been dominant in the Stanley Cup Final thus far, and with the Panthers struggling to find their footing, I’m confident that the Knights will continue their winning ways in Game 3. With Marchessault’s hot streak and Tkachuk’s questionable form, it’s hard not to get amped about the Knights’ chances in this crucial matchup. So, buckle up, hockey fans – we’re in for a wild ride as the Knights look to take a commanding lead in the series.
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