Bruins vs Panthers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NHL Playoffs Game 1 (Boston Puts on a Show Inside TD Garden)

The 2022-23 NHL Playoffs begin on Monday with a thrilling showdown between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins.

Bruins vs Panthers Game Info

• Boston Bruins (65-12-5) vs. Florida Panthers (42-32-8)
• Date: Monday, April 17, 2023
• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• Venue: TD Garden -- Boston, Massachusetts
• Coverage: ESPN

Florida is back in the postseason for the fourth straight season, while Boston is back for the seventh straight season and looking to build on what has been a historical season so far.

Bruins vs Panthers Odds & Spread

• All NHL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: BOS: (-225) | FLA: (+184)
• Spread: BOS: -1.5 (+114) | FLA: +1.5 (-137)
• Total: 6.5 -- Over: (+102) | Under: (-124)

The Bruins enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 6.5 goals, with the under favored at -124 odds.

Favorite	Underdog	Total	Spread
Bruins (-230)	Panthers (+188)	6.5	Bruins (-1.5)

Bruins vs. Panthers Betting Trends

• Boston is 10-0 straight up in its last 10 games against an Eastern Conference foe.
• The total has hit the under in nine of Boston's last 10 home games.
• Florida is 3-6 straight up in its last nine games against Boston.
• The total has hit the over in four of Florida's last five games against Boston.

Bruins vs. Panthers Prediction & Pick

The Bruins only lost 17 times in the regular season, but two of those losses came against the Panthers. Florida relies on a potent offensive attack to stay in games as it ranks first in shots per game and sixth in goals per game. Matthew Tkachuk finished tied for fifth in the NHL with 109 points.

That offense will have to be firing on all cylinders to keep up with the Bruins, though. Boston ranks second in goal per game as David Pastrnak finished tied for third in the NHL with 113 points. The big difference is on defense as Boston ranks first in goals allowed per game, while Florida ranks 21st.

Boston has won 16 of its last 20 home games against Florida, so back the Bruins to win once again.

Final Score Prediction: Bruins: 4 | Panthers: 2

Bruins vs. Panthers Best Bet

Boston has no plans of being the latest Presidents' Trophy winner to fall short in the postseason, so expect the Bruins is put on a show inside TD Garden. After all, they have scored a total of 12 goals in two home wins over the Panthers this season. Florida doesn't have the defense to stop an offense that rosters elite talent all over the ice. Boston has won two of its last three games by at least 2 goals.

Bet: Boston Bruins -1.5 (+114)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.