Capitals vs Panthers Prediction and NHL Playoffs Series Betting Odds

Toss defense out the window, we’ve got a Capitals vs Panthers series that could easily set the record for most combined goals in the 2022 NHL Playoffs. The Washington Capitals do not score at the rate they used to, but they are still top-10 in the NHL. The Florida Panthers are not too shabby either, ranking first in both goals scored and shots on goal. These teams are not atrocious defensively, but defense is not what is going to win this series.

The Panthers are a well-oiled machine, leading the NHL in goal differential (+94) by a mile. The Capitals will have major obstacles to overcome if they hope to get out of the opening round for the first time since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Let’s take a look at the betting odds and season history for the series, and give our Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoffs prediction.

Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoff Series Preview and Stream

NHL Playoffs Round 1
Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers
Venue: Capital One Arena – Washington, DC / FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
Coverage: ESPN / ESPN2 / TBS

Goaltending:

WSH: Vitek Vanecek (20-12-6/2.67/.908 – Expected Starter) / Ilya Samsonov (23-12-5/3.02/.896)

FLA: Sergei Bobrovsky (39-7-3/2.67/.913 – Expected Starter) / Spencer Knight (19-9-3/2.79/.908)

Capitals vs Panthers Record | Regular Season History

Outside of what we already expect in the number of goals scored, there is not much to draw on from the Capitals vs Panthers regular season series. The teams played each other three times, all in the month of November. The Panthers heavily outshot the Capitals across those three games, but only managed to outscore them 13-12. All three games resulted in a one-goal difference, with the Panthers winning the first and last meeting.

If the Capitals are to stand a chance in this series, that is the exact kind of effort they will need from their goaltending tandem. The Panthers have a top-three goaltender pairing, but they have proven to be shaky at times throughout the season. The regular season Capitals vs Panthers contests averaged over eight goals per game, so expect oddsmakers to set game totals very high.

Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoff Series Betting Odds

NHL Betting odds for Capitals vs Panthers are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.

Moneyline: WSH: (+300) | FLA: (-360)
Series Total Games: 5.5 — Over: (-160) | Under: (+120) / 6.5 — Over: (+225) | Under: (-350)
Series Spread: WSH: +1.5 (+150) | FLA: -1.5 (-200) / WSH: -1.5 (+400) | FLA: +1.5 (-700)
Public Betting via Action Network: WSH: (21%) | FLA: (79%)
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: WSH: (+3300) | FLA: (+550)

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Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoff Series Keys to Victory

Washington Capitals: As eluded to above, the Capitals need the performance of a lifetime from their goaltenders. Their regular season offensive numbers are good, but will not be good enough to beat this version of the Panthers. Ovechkin is maybe the most dangerous power player in the history of the NHL, but the Capitals as a whole have been abysmal on the man advantage. They will need to convert at a much higher rate and, maybe more importantly, they must stay out of the box. The Panthers have the fifth-most effective powerplay in the NHL. Allowing those extra special teams goals will be too much to overcome.

Florida Panthers: Florida is a nearly perfect offensive unit. They should not change a single thing they do in the opponent’s zone. The two areas of struggle in the regular season came from goaltending and slow starts. On multiple occasions this season, the Panthers entered the third period down by as many as four of five goals and ended up coming back to win the game. While that is exhilarating in the regular season, it is a recipe for disaster in the NHL Playoffs. If they can establish themselves early in games and their goalies are playing at their best, there is no reason the Panthers should not dust the Capitals.

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Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoff Series Prediction

This Capitals vs Panthers NHL Playoffs series will not be a blowout on an individual game basis, but could have a blowout final result. The Washington Capitals need to win one of the first two games in Florida to have life in the series, but we just don’t see that happening. Many goals will be scored, and the games will probably be close, but if the Capitals win more than one game in this series, it should be considered a success.

The Florida Panthers series moneyline and spread carry heavy juice, so we will be taking the longshot alternate series spread and pulling for the Panthers in a gentleman’s sweep.

Our NHL betting Capitals vs Panthers playoff prediction will be Panthers -2.5 ALT Series Spread at BetUS. 

Capitals vs Panthers Prediction and NHL Playoffs Picks

Series Total Games – u5.5 (+120)

Florida Panthers – Series Spread -2.5 (+130)

*continue to check back on FlurrySports.org as more picks and updated odds will be available upon release*