Trent Reinsmith
- What: Game 5 NHL Eastern Conference Round 1 Playoffs
- Who: Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins
- Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
- Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN, CBC, SN, TVAS, NESN, BSFL
Barring an enormous change in momentum, the Boston Bruins are heading to the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs. Going into Wednesday’s Game 5 of their Eastern Conference series, the Bruins are up 3-1 on the Florida Panthers and have outscored the Panthers 16-11 in the four games the teams have played in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Boston, who entered the 2023 postseason after a record-setting 2023 regular season where they won the most games in NHL history (65) and had the most points in league history (135), can close out the series against Florida at home on Wednesday night, and the betting odds are in favor of the Bruins doing that.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Wednesday’s 2023 NHL playoff matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins betting picks for Game 5
| To Win NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Series Game 5 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Florida Panthers | +205 | +200 | +190 | +205 | +195 |
| Boston Bruins | -230 | -240 | -230 | -245 | -245 |
Florida Panthers betting breakdown
Things have not gone the Florida Panthers‘ way during the team’s first round Eastern Conference playoff series opposite the Boston Bruins. The Panthers picked up a big win in Game 2, beating the Bruins 6-3 after losing Game 1 to Boston 3-1, but since then, the series has been all Bruins.
Florida fell behind 2-0 to Boston early in the second period of Sunday’s Game 4, but the team pulled within one goal when Matthew Tkachuk scored with four minutes left in the second stanza. However, things got away from the Panthers in the third period, and they lost the game 6-2.
Tkachuk, who picked up a fine for a crosscheck in Game 4, leads the Panthers in scoring with five points. He is also one of three players, along with Brandon Montour, and Sam Bennett, who have two goals for the club.
The Panthers have a tough decision to make when it comes to goaltending in Game 5. Sergei Bobrovsky started Game 4, his first start since March 27, but he did not play well, giving up five goals on 25 shots. Meanwhile, Alex Lyon has a 3.26 goals against and a .902 save percentage in his three starts.
Boston Bruins betting prediction
After their outstanding regular season, the Bruins have not suffered a letdown in the 2023 NHL playoffs. That the team is having the success it is enjoying without team captain Patrice Bergeron in the lineup for the Florida series and with David Krejci missing the past couple of games bodes well for the Bruins’ prospects of closing out the Panthers and having future success in the current postseason.
Taylor Hall leads the Bruins in playoff points (seven) and goals (4). Boston has also picked up three goals apiece from Jake DeBrusk and Brad Marchand. In addition, Tyler Bertuzzi and David Pastrnak have each contributed two goals.
Linus Ullmark is playing well in goal for the Bruins. He has a 2.55 goals against average and .926 save percentage. There is no doubt that he will start Game 5 for the Bruins.
Best bet for Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins game 5
The Boston Bruins were 34-4-3 at home during the 2023 NHL regular season. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers were a 19-19-3 road team. Florida’s win in Game 2 was an upset. Don’t expect them to pick up another victory when the series moves to TD Garden in Boston for Game 5. The best bet is to pick the Boston Bruins to beat the Florida Panthers in Game 5 and close out their Eastern Conference playoff series.
Pick: Boston Bruins to beat Florida Panthers in Game 5 of their 2023 NHL Eastern Conference playoff series.
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