Courtesy of a trademark overtime victory for the Florida Panthers in Game 3, the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals will be going to Game 5, and perhaps further if the Panthers can muster up a bit of magic.
However, the bookmakers and pundits aren’t holding onto much hope for a Game 6. In the NHL odds, not only are the Golden Knights in at -1667 to win the Cup (now 3-1 up in the series), but they’re also at -167 on the Game 3 money line.
The Sunrise hockey club has been up against it from the get-go, with Vegas having their number at just about every turn. Now, there are even doubts about Florida’s star player being able to put in a full shift in Game 5.
Golden Knights Continue to Stifle the Panthers
Coming into the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, the Golden Knights were particularly woeful on the powerplay at 18.5 percent, while their penalty kill was also low-ranking at 63 percent.
The story of the Finals so far, however, has been Vegas’ elite showing on special teams. They’ve scored six goals from 18 opportunities with the man advantage, while their penalty kill has stopped the Panthers on all 13 occasions.
Of course, the Panthers haven’t helped themselves in the PIMs column, but the Golden Knights have been rather clean – although, the Floridian crowd of plastic rat-throwers would disagree – or have at least been more tactical in their fouling.
In Game 3, both of Vegas’ goals came on the powerplay, both netminders put in a strong showing, and Matthew Tkachuk managed to score and get an assist without being sent to the penalty box.
The overtime winner scored by Carter Verhaeghe could have been the start of the Panthers mounting a comeback, but hopes of this quickly evaporated in Game 4.
Before the second minute had ticked down, a poorly timed line change saw the Panthers get caught on their heels, clustered in the neutral zone, allowing Chandler Stephenson to surge ahead one-on-one with the goalie.
Only two powerplays were awarded in Game 4, and while the shots on goal column ended 31-31, the Golden Knights created the better chances and dominated in hits (32-21) and blocks (30-15).
The game ended in a scrap as the Panthers couldn’t quite get that last-second goal to tie the game, and Brandon Montour crashed the net, which Adin Hill took exception to.
As a result, Tkachuk picked up his fifth ten-minute misconduct penalty – the seventh player to ever reach that count in a single postseason – and Alex Pietrangelo may miss the next game as he left the penalty box to partake in the scrum after the final buzzer.
Difference Makers May Miss Game 5
While he missed some time due to the concussion spotters pulling him off the ice, it’s been revealed that Tkachuk is also dealing with physical injury – rumoured to be a shoulder injury – and may even miss the next game.
For Vegas, Pietrangelo’s actions venture into murky waters. So, the NHL will have make the call based on the situation. If he misses out, the Golden Knights lose their most relied-upon and dependable blueliner in all situations.
Will the Panthers have much pop if Tkachuk can’t go at full strength? Will missing Pietrangelo open up opportunities for the Panthers to pounce on? It’s tough to say in both regards, especially as Vegas boasts such depth.
What’ll be the most telling is how the Panthers start. They did manage to rally in the second period of Game 4, but playing so loosely to open the game was detrimental.
Watching the opening phases and then exploring the live online sports betting would be the preferred play for many hockey fans.
This is especially because the Panthers – now travelling back to Nevada – are the significant underdogs. At +135 on the money line and -200 at +1.5 on the spread, the Panthers are tipped to lose, but only by a narrow margin.
For player props, there are loads of interesting lines coming through for this potentially series-clinching Game 5. Jonathan Marchessault, who leads Vegas in the playoffs with 13 goals and 24 points, has odds of +155 to score over 0.5 goals.
Mark Stone has also upped his game in the Finals, being relentless on the puck to earn +100 odds of securing one or more assists, or -200 to get a point.
For Florida to win, they’re going to need to pepper Hill with shots throughout the game. Averaging 3.6 shots on goal in the playoffs so far (72 in 20 games), Montour looks set to capitalize on his +120 odds of firing over 3.5 shots on goal in Game 5 with so much on the line.
🕺 LET’S GET IT 🕺 pic.twitter.com/EaPmtiPreQ
— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 11, 2023
It’d be great to see the Panthers grab another win and take the series back to Sunrise, but the Golden Knights have just looked too strong and resolute in every regard, leading to the odds seeing Game 5 as the likely last game.
2023 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 FAQ
- Where will Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals be played?
Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals will be played at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- What’s the series score coming into Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals?
The series score is 3-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights coming into Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals. A win in Game 5 for Vegas will win the team its first-ever Stanley Cup.
- How can I watch Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals?
Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals can be watched live on TV through Sportsnet, TVAS, or CBC in Canada, and it can be live-streamed through the CBC apps and SN Now.
- What time does Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals start?
Played on Tuesday, June 13, Game 5 will start at 8 pm ET and 5 pm PT.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
