The Stanley Cup Final is finally here! The puck will drop for Game 1 on Saturday night as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Florida Panthers in a best-of-seven series for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Here is our Stanley Cup Final Game 1 preview with odds, how to watch, picks, and best bets!
Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds, TV, Picks, Best Bets
Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Game Information
Date & Time: Saturday, June 3rd, 8:10 p.m. EST
How to Watch / TV: TNT, TBS, TRUTV, CBC, TVAS, SN
Game 1 Odds
Panthers +110 | Golden Knights -130
Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Picks & Best Bets
This should be a terrific series between two teams that are hot right now.
The Florida Panthers have won 11 of their past 12 games after falling into a 3-1 hole in the first round against the NHL-best Boston Bruins. They then knocked off the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes — two legitimate Cup contenders — to advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1996.
The Vegas Golden Knights also stumbled early, losing their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by a final score of 5-1. However, they recovered to win four straight against the Jets and got past the Oilers and Stars to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
For Game 1, it’s hard to go against the red-hot Panthers. They struggled on the road during the regular season but have won eight straight road games after dropping Game 1 against Boston.
As mentioned above, the Golden Knights struggled early in the series. They lost Game 1 to the Jets, had to come back to beat the Oilers 6-4 (then dropped Game 2 5-1), and both Games 1 and 2 against the Stars went to overtime. As a result, Vegas has had a hard time dominating teams out of the gate.
The Knights have also tended to play higher-scoring games early on. All three of their series-opening games had at least six goals, and 12 of their 17 games thus far have had at least six goals.
Florida has trended more towards under recently, especially against a Carolina team that lacks much offensive firepower, but the Cats did play some higher-scoring games against the Bruins.
Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Picks: Panthers +110, Over 5.5 (-120)
