Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Odds, predictions, and best bets for Saturday, June 3rd
The Stanley Cup Final is finally here and VSiN has you covered on the betting front. Read on for odds, predictions, and best bets. Check out the VSiN Hockey Betting Podcast Stanley Cup Preview here and tune weekdays to stay up to date on all things NHL.
Today’s NHL Odds
Florida Panthers (+115) at Vegas Golden Knights (-135)
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Saturday, June 1st in Las Vegas and the Golden Knights are -135 favorites according to VSiN’s NHL Odds Page, while Florida is carrying a +115 price tag into the series opener. However, a lot of sportsbooks outside of Las Vegas, like DraftKings, list Vegas as a slightly smaller (-130) favorite, and therefore, Florida (+110) is a slightly smaller underdog.
My Prediction
The current odds imply Vegas will win Game 1 around 57.5 percent of the time, and according to my hockey betting model, the line is right where it should be. By my estimation, the Golden Knights will win take a 1-0 series lead approximately 57.3 percent of the time, which converts to moneyline odds of -134.
Today’s Best NHL Bets
Florida faced a lot of shots from the Hurricanes’ blue line in the Eastern Conference final. The Carolina blue line generated 58 shots on goal against the Panthers defense and given that Florida allows more shots than any team Vegas has faced so far, the Golden Knights should generate more offense.
Alex Pietrangelo Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+130)
Alex Pietrangelo only managed to register three or more shots in two out of six games versus the Dallas Stars, but only Brent Burns attempted more shots on a per 60-minute basis in the conference finals and the Golden Knights defenseman sees a lot of ice, averaging more than 22 minutes per game. Pietrangelo attempted 35 shots in six games versus Dallas and even though he didn’t go over enough to be profitable, he hits the goal a couple of times more often than not and his ceiling projects to be a little bit higher in this series.
Shea Theodore Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+140)
Like Carolina, Vegas has a one-two punch on the blue line with Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore. Pietrangelo plays on the first pair alongside Alec Martinez, while Theodore plays with Brayden McNabb on the second pairing. Theodore didn’t generate as many shots as Pietrangelo against the Stars, but he did hit the net more frequently and that’s been the case all season long. Theodore led all defenseman in unblocked-shot attempts in the conference finals. The 27-year-old defenseman registered three shots on goal in four out of six games versus Dallas.
All bets tracked via Betstamp.
