Subscribe
Follow Us
The Florida Panthers find themselves trailing 2-1 in their first-round NHL Playoffs series against the Washington Capitals, with Game 4 set for Monday night. The Presidents' Trophy winners have not played the part in the postseason, falling behind in the series after losing Games 1 and 3. Now with their backs against the wall, the Panthers will need to steal a win in Washington in order to avoid a 3-1 deficit. We're back with our NHL odds series with a Panthers-Capitals prediction and pick for Game 4 on Monday, May 9.
Here are the Panthers-Capitals NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Panthers-Capitals Odds
Florida Panthers: -1.5 (+132) (-194 ML)
Washington Capitals: +1.5 (-160) (+158 ML)
Over: 6.5 (-134)
Under: 6.5 (+110)
*Watch NHL Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Panthers Can Cover The Spread/Win
Despite their struggles through the first three games of the series, the Panthers were Presidents' Trophy winners for a reason. They have one of the best offenses in hockey and will need their playmakers to step up in Game 4 in order to secure a win on the road. Florida have been favored in every game of this series, yet find themselves trailing against the eight-seeded Capitals, who are relying on experience and physicality to get the job done.
Jonathan Huberdeau has been solid for the Panthers, but they will need him to be his usual elite self if they want to pick up a win in Game 4. He has two points in three games, managing just one assist in the series despite leading the NHL in the category during the regular season. Alexander Barkov and Claude Giroux each have two points as well, though Giroux has been rather passive offensively, only registering 2 shots on target throughout the three games. If Huberdeau can get his star playmakers in position to score, the Panthers can turn in a big outing in Game 4. Florida should have no problem living up to their reputation as the league's best team and taking down the Capitals on the road if their stars live up to the billing. Washington has played well to give themselves a 2-1 advantage, but the Panthers know it's time to lock in and make a statement in Game 4.
Why The Capitals Can Cover The Spread/Win
One of the biggest surprises for the Capitals this postseason has been the lack of goalscoring from Alex Ovechkin. Ovi still has four points in three games, but has scored just one goal, assisting three. He's still been a huge difference-maker for the Capitals, playing an unselfish style of hockey and leading by example with his physicality. Ovechkin has been racking up hits throughout the first few games of the series, showcasing his physical nature even at his age. His willingness to put his body on the line and make big hits on Panthers players has inspired the rest of his comrades, who have also been playing with a level of physicality that fans have been adoring.
The Capitals have the series exactly where they want it, and could scarcely have imagined a better scenario for themselves before things got started in the first round. They've done brilliantly to build a 2-1 lead, and now it's time to take advantage of their home-ice advantage in Game 4 to ensure they don't let Florida get back into this series. The experience of TJ Oshie and Ovechkin has helped lead the Capitals, and they'll lean on their stars once again on Monday night.
Final Panthers-Capitals Prediction and Pick
The Panthers have their backs against the wall, and they'll be looking to avoid an embarrassing first-round exit after a tremendous regular season. We're expecting Florida to come out and make a statement in Game 4, erasing any doubts about their ability as Stanley Cup contenders. Every game in this series has been decided by at least two goals, so we're comfortable rolling with the spread in this one. We're expecting Florida's offense to wake up in Game 4 and this one to be a high-scoring affair. The over of 6.5 is not a bad bet, but that's only covered once in this series. We're going to take the Panthers to cover the spread at plus odds.
Final Panthers-Capitals Prediction and Pick: Panthers -1.5 (+132)
