Dean Etheridge
Top of the Atlantic Division, Boston Bruins take on the Florida Panthers at TD Garden tonight, and here we look ahead to the match in our latest NHL betting picks.
- What; NHL
- Who; Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers
- Where; TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
- When; Monday, December 19th, 2022
- Puck Drop; 7 pm ET
The Bruins are looking to make it two wins in a row, and in the process, extend their lead at the top of the Atlantic Division over the Maple Leafs who don’t play again until Tuesday. The Bruins already have a 6 points lead, and this with two games in hand on their closest rivals.
As for the Panthers, they sit fourth in the division, just ahead of the Red Wings. Florida are 7 points behind third placed Tampa Bay Lightning, so they really need to string a run of wins together if they are to close the gap on the top three teams in division.
In the betting to win the Atlantic Division, the Bruins are already way out in front with the best NHL betting sites. BetOnline makes the Bruins -300 to win the division. The Maple Leafs are +275, with the Lightning at +450, and the Panthers miles behind at +2800.
In the betting to win the Eastern Conference, the Bruins are +290. Again, the Maple Leafs are their closest rivals, this time at +475, with the New Jersey Devils third at +650.
Betting to win the 2023 Stanley Cup
It’s not just in the betting to win the division and conference that Boston are the favorites, they also lead the way in the betting to win the 2023 Stanley Cup at +500.
The Bruins over hauled the 2022 Stanley Cup winners and early season favorites, the Colorado Avalanche in late November. The Avalanche has had a rough start to the season. A combination of injuries and loss of form has seen them so far struggling to replicate the form that took them to the title last season.
These odds are brought to you by Bovada, you can read about them in more detail in our Bovada sportsbook review. There are also more Stanley Cup winner betting odds in our odds table below.
| Stanley Cup Winner Betting 2023 |  |  |  |
| Boston Bruins | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +800 | +850 | +825 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +900 | +850 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1200 | +1200 | +1150 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
Boston are having a slightly sticky patch of form
In their last ten matches, the Bruins have a 7-1-2 record, and they are on a winning streak of one. The 4-2 win over the Kings on Saturday, courtesy of two third-period goals in 19 seconds gave the Bruins the win.
Matinée made. pic.twitter.com/z29S9NHuJ8
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 17, 2022
This win was much needed, as the Bruins had lost their previous match 3-2 (after a shoot out) at home to the Kings on Thursday night.
Boston’s form hasn’t been as strong in recent days. In their last five games they are 3-1-1, which isn’t bad. But Jim Montgomery’s team were far more fluid earlier in the season.
Panthers have disappointed so far this season
The Panthers are having a disappointing season by their recent standards, sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 15-13-4 record. In their last ten, their record reads 5-5-0, which pretty much sums up how their season is going.
IT'S A BEAUTY
🗣 CATS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FB6g22ppFQ
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 18, 2022
On Saturday night the Panthers won 4-2 away to the New Jersey Devils. This win came after a 4-2 home defeat to the Penguins.
And this is the problem with Florida this season. Their form has just been too inconsistent. Which explains why they’ve lost touch with the top three sides in the division.
Bruins vs Panthers Betting
The top NHL betting sites unsurprisingly makes the Bruins their favorites to win this match at -165 on the moneyline. The Panthers are +140. I would have expected the Bruins to be slightly shorter. But such is their recent form, they’re not as much of a banker as they were in recent weeks.
On the handicap line, the Panthers are receiving the +1.5 points start, and that sees them as the -165 favorites. The Bruins are +140. Finally, the total points mark is set at 6.5 goals. Over 6.5 is -115, with under 6.5 at -105.
Betting Picks
As we’ve already alluded to, the Bruins aren’t quite firing on all cylinders at the moment. But the problem is, we have no idea what version of the Panthers will turn up either.
So when there is doubt about a team winning, I can’t be backing them at odds on. This immediately rules out the Bruins on the moneyline, even though that’s probably the safer bet. The point is, if we’re going to lose, then let’s lose whilst trying to win more, rather than playing safe for a small reward, and still losing.
If the Bruins do win, then the chances are it will be by two or more. And the Panthers three most recent losses bear out that theory. Their losing score lines have been 4-2 (Penguins), 5-2 (Kraken), and 4-1 (Lightning).
This makes a bet on the Boston Bruins to win on the handicap look more like the best pick.
On the total points market, I feel this will be a game with points scored at both ends. Therefore I’m going for over 6.5 goals at -115.
