Mark Lammey
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The 2023 Stanley Cup Final may not be the matchup many fans expected, but Game 1 certainly didn’t disappoint. It was just as chippy as anticipated and a close game even though the Golden Knight pulled clear late on to win 5-2. The series stays in Vegas for Game 2 after each team had Sunday off to rest. The Knights would love to get out to a 2-0 lead before going on the road, while the Panthers will be looking to steal Game 2 before heading back home to South Beach. These teams split their two regular-season games, so will they split the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final too? We’re here to help to answer that.
Along with our Panthers vs Golden Knights Same Game Parlay, be sure to check out all of our NHL coverage for the Stanley Cup Final.
Panthers vs Golden Knights Same Game Parlay
Panthers ML (+122)
Over 5.5 goals (-130)
Matthew Tkachuk anytime goalscorer (+160)
Same Game Parlay odds: +545
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Florida Panthers ML (+116)
The Panthers’ magical run hit a speed bump in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s over. While the final score of 5-2 may not look like a tight game, it’s quite misleading. Florida and Vegas traded goals back and forth and the game was tied halfway through the 3rd period. After a Zach Whitecloud goal for the 3-2 lead, there was a baseball swing goal by captain Mark Stone and an empty-net goal that made the score seem more lopsided than the game truly was.
Therefore, we’re comfortable backing Florida, even on the road. Let’s not forget how incredible they’ve been to get to this point. They became the third team in NHL history to eliminate 3 of the top 4 seeds. In fact, if they can get through Vegas, they’ll make it 4 of the top 5 seeds. The Knights certainly deserve to be here, but they still aren’t as tested as Florida. After all, they were able to cruise through the Winnipeg Jets while the Panthers were taking on the record-setting Boston Bruins. The toughness of Florida should lead the way now that Vegas won’t have nearly as much rest heading into Game 2.
Over 5.5 goals (-130)
Some of the later goals in Game 1 were a bit unorthodox, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t see another high-scoring game. Firstly, empty-netters are always on the table. However, this is still more about the game prior to that final minute or two. The 5-on-5 expected goals for Game 1 still would have gone over the total, as it was just over 7, per MoneyPuck. It’s also important to remember how deep into the season we are.
Skaters are going to get more and more tired as the Stanley Cup Final progresses, which generally leads to more goals. Similarly, it’s difficult to see netminder Adin Hill continuing to play this far above expectations. It will always be worth keeping in mind that he is the Knights’ absolute last choice at goaltender and he’s there strictly due to injuries. With sharpshooters such as Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk and Vegas’ Jack Eichel, we should see at least 6 goals scored in Game 2.
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Matthew Tkachuk anytime goalscorer (+160)
Speaking of Tkachuk, why not focus on him to round out our same game parlay? He’s been absolutely incredible all year, but in the playoffs specifically. If Florida goes on to win the Stanley Cup, it will almost surely be between Tkachuk and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for the Conn Smythe Trophy. While he didn’t score in Game 1, the performance he put on in the Eastern Conference Finals is difficult to ignore.
Tkachuk was the primary reason for the Panthers’ sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored a game-winning goal in the 4th overtime of Game 1, another in overtime of Game 2, assisted on the only goal scored in Game 3 and scored twice in Game 4, , including the game-winner. It’s also not as if it’s out of nowhere as Tkachuk is coming off a 40-goal regular season. Look for him to continue putting the Panthers on his back.
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