Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Odds, Predictions & Series Price: VGK Short Favorites vs. Panthers

The Stanley Cup Final begins Saturday night with the Florida Panthers facing off against the Vegas Golden Nights. As both franchises seek their first-ever NHL title in what figures to be a thrilling series, we cover Game 1 odds, series prices, and predictions for the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

The winner of the Western Conference, Vegas, is a slight favorite at most sportsbooks. Florida, the winner in the Eastern Conference, should not be overlooked in one of the closest-matched Stanley Cup Final series in recent memory.

The puck drops for Game 1 Saturday at 8:07 p.m. ET in Paradise, Nevada.

More pucks: Panthers vs. Golden Knights props | Conn Smythe odds | Stanley Cup Final schedule

Stanley Cup Final Series Price

Vegas enters the Stanley Cup Final as a narrow favorite to win it all. It’s the franchise’s first appearance in the finals since their inaugural season — which they lost in five games to the Washington Capitals.

Here are Golden Knights vs. Panthers series prices from top sports betting apps as of Friday afternoon. For live prices, check our Stanley Cup odds page.

The Panthers vs. Golden Knights series odds to go all seven games is +200 at DraftKings — the shortest odds of all possible outcomes.

Stanley Cup Final Odds: Panthers vs. VGK Game 1 Moneyline, Puck Line, Total

Oddsmakers are giving the slight edge to the home team in the Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 1. On the puck line, Vegas -1.5 pays out nearly 2:1 at most books. For Florida to cover the +1.5 as an underdog, bettors would have to lay in the -227 to -250 range.

The over/under is set at 5.5 total goals with juice on the Over.

These are the current Panthers vs. Golden Knights odds for Game 1 available at the country’s top sportsbooks. Remember to always shop around multiple books before placing your wager to ensure you get the possible price.

2023 Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Florida vs. Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs as one of the hottest picks to win it all. The Knights faced the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, rattling off four-straight wins after dropping Game 1 to advance, 4-1.

Vegas played the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, one of the preseason favorites to hoist Lord Stanley’s Trophy. The series was tied 2-2 after four games before the Golden Knights won two straight to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

It was all Vegas through the first three games of the Western Conference Finals. The Golden Knights looked poised to reach their second-ever Finals appearance up three games to zero over Dallas. The Stars battled back, however, and narrowed the deficit to 3-2.

In a crucial Game 6 in Dallas, Vegas returned to form and dismantled the Stars 6-0. The Golden Knights advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, outscoring the Stars by a total of 24 goals to 9.

Part of the Golden Knights’ success in the 2023 NHL Playoffs this season is due to a deep cast of talented skaters. Six different players have scored at least six goals in the postseason this year.

• J. Eichel — 18 Points (6 Goals, 12 Assists)
• J. Marchessault — 17 Points (9 Goals, 8 Assists)
• I. Barbashev — 15 Points (6 Goals, 9 Assists)
• M. Stone — 15 Points (6 Goals, 9 Assists)
• C. Stephenson — 14 Points (8 Goals, 6 Assists)

The Florida Panthers had arguably the most-difficult first-round matchup. With the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Cats opened the NHL Playoffs against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins. The Bruins’ 135-point regular season was an NHL record.

Florida’s postseason future looked bleak after falling behind the heavyweight Bruins, 3-1. The Panthers displayed tremendous resilience in battling back, including overtime road wins in Games 5 and 7.

After knocking out the Bruins in seven games, it seemed as if no team could get in the Panthers’ way. Florida cruised through the proceeding rounds, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 in the second and then sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Conference Finals.

Florida’s dynamic roster is headlined by standout left winger Matthew Tkachuk

• M. Tkachuk — 21 Points (9 Goals, 12 Assists)
• C. Verhaege — 15 Points (6 Goals, 9 Assists)
• A. Barkov — 14 Points (4 Goals, 10 Assists)
• S. Reinhart — 11 Points (7 Goals, 4 Assists)
• S. Bennett — 11 Points (4 Goals, 7 Assists)

Panthers vs. Golden Knights Finals Schedule

• Game 1: Sat, June 3 at Vegas
• Game 2: Mon, June 5 at Vegas
• Game 3: Thur, June 8 at Florida
• Game 4: Sat, June 10 at Florida
• Game 5: Tue, June 13 at Vegas (if needed)
• Game 6: Fri, June 16 at Florida (if needed)
• Game 7: Mon, June 19 at Vegas (if needed)

Stanley Cup Finals Betting Trends

Vegas Golden Knights Trends

• The Golden Knights are 4-1 in their previous five games after a win
• The Golden Knights are 18-6 in their previous 24 games on home ice
• Vegas is 22-8 in their previous 30 games when they allow two or fewer goals in their last game
• Vegas has gone under in five of their last seven games following a win
• Vegas has hit the over in five of their last seven games versus the Eastern Conference

Florida Panthers Trends

• The Panthers are 18-6 in their previous 24 games
• The Panthers are 5-2 in their previous seven games when their opponent is coming off a game with 5+ goals
• Florida is 20-8 in their previous 28 games when they have at least 3 days of rest
• Florida has hit the under in eight of their last nine games
• Florida has hit the under in each of their last five games on the road

Stanley Cup Finals Prediction: Panthers Get Their First Title

This is one of the most evenly-matched Stanley Cup Finals in recent memory. Both teams are competing for their franchise’s first championship title — who will prevail?

In our Golden Knights vs. Panthers prediction, we’re backing the Cats. Not only do the Panthers have a five-game rest advantage, but they opened the playoffs against one of the NHL’s best teams in history. The Panthers have shown they can hang with anybody and dismantled both the Leafs and Canes.

Although Vegas boasts a deeper roster, Florida has the edge in goal. Don’t expect the series to be high-scoring, as the Panthers are content to rely on timely shots and fierce goaltending to win in close games. We’re backing the Cats to bring the Stanley Cup to South Florida for the first time.

2023 NHL Stanley Cup Prediction: Florida Panthers