All the first round matchups are finished and it’s on the conference semifinals. There is just one game on the schedule, so let’s look at the best bet for tonight.
Monday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Boston Bruins (+145) at Florida Panthers (-175) | O/U 5.5 (+105/-125)
The Bruins had a brutal end to their season last year as they relinquished a 3-1 series lead to lose in the first round. They got that monkey off their back as they lost a 3-1 series lead again this year, but they were able to win Game 7 and move on. Now it's time to try and rid themselves of the other demon. The team they were upset by is who they will face in the second round. The defense was the catalyst for that first round victory, especially Jeremy Swayman in the cage, as he comes in with a playoff-leading 10.9 goals saved above expected.
Can Boston get over the hump and beat the Panthers? Last year, Florida came in as the underdog, beating the Bruins as the 8-seed, and they would ride that momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. This team was much better this year. The offense finished 11th with 3.23 goals per game, but their defense was top-notch. They finished allowing the third-fewest shots on goal per game (28.1) and the fewest goals allowed per game (2.42).
With how well both defenses are playing this series, that could be the theme of this series, and it starts with a low-scoring Game 1.
Pick: Under 5.5 Total Goals (-125)
