NHL Stanley Cup Final 2023: Odds, Hot Takes, Top Storylines for Game 1

The Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights kick off the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night after a long layoff for both teams.

The last time we saw the Panthers was on May 24 as they completed their Eastern Conference Final sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Vegas clinched the Western Conference Final over the Dallas Stars on Monday. The Knights are more used to the long layoff between postseason games since they had at least five days off after each playoff series.

The Knights could be better equipped to come out fast in Game 1 after the long break. They scored 10 goals in their last two Game 1s.

Florida's longest break during the East playoffs was six days between the second round and conference final. The Panthers went to four overtimes in the first game following that layoff.

The long span off the ice could affect the rhythm of Sergei Bobrovsky, whose net should be peppered from the first puck drop.

Vegas needs to make Florida feel uncomfortable inside T-Mobile Arena, and the best way to do that is to score early and often.

Game 1 Odds

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 24: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers corrals the puck against Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena on May 24, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 4-3 to take the series 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Money Line

Vegas (-130; bet $130 to win $100)

Florida (+110; bet $100 to win $110)

Puck Line

Vegas (-1.5; +195)

Florida (+1.5; -230)

Over/Under: 5.5

Vegas Must Score in Opening Period

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 29: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with Ivan Barbashev #49 of the Vegas Golden Knights after scoring a goal during the first period against the Dallas Starsin Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 29, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Vegas needs to apply its offensive pressure from the start to make Florida feel uncomfortable.

The Panthers thrived on the road to start their last two series, as they held the Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs to seven goals in Games 1 and 2.

The Knights can't let Florida implement their strong defensive play right away, or they could risk sending 30-plus shots right into Bobrovsky's body.

Vegas can benefit from quick puck movement in the attacking zone to find some spaces in Bobrovsky's net while he shifts across the crease to cover those movements.

The home side also needs all four of its lines to create the offensive pressure, not just the top line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault.

Vegas displayed a well-rounded approach against the Stars, as 11 players found the back of the net and every skater who played in the series recorded at least one point.

Look for Reilly Smith, William Karlsson and Alex Pietrangelo to play bigger roles than usual in Game 1 as they use their previous Stanley Cup Final experience to help Vegas' units outside the top forward line settle into the contest.

Smith was Vegas' joint top scorer in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. Karlsson was Vegas' leading scorer in the Dallas series, and he could make a bigger impact on his second Cup Final after scoring once against the Washington Capitals.

Pietrangelo recorded six points in the St. Louis Blues' 2019 championship series, and his service from the blue line could be vital for any forward he plays with in Game 1.

Florida Needs to Do Nothing Different

Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 24: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers warms up in the net prior to the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on May 24, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Florida's game plan has not changed in the last two series, so why reverse course now, even after an extended break.

The Panthers played tremendous defensive hockey against the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes to reach the Stanley Cup Final in nine games from the last two rounds.

Florida is 11-1 since its Game 4 first-round loss to the Boston Bruins. The Panthers have not allowed more than three goals since Game 6 of the Boston series.

The Panthers need to follow their disciplined defensive game plan, and let Bobrovsky settle into a rhythm in net.

The East champion does not need to create an abundance of scoring chances in the first period of Game 1. Its goal should be to contain Vegas and take the raucous T-Mobile Arena crowd out of the contest.

A low-scoring affair that puts more pressure on Vegas to beat Bobrovsky and win suits Florida's style.

The Panthers do have to guard against the extended break hurting them on the first few shifts, and if they get through the first 10 minutes without conceding, they should be in good shape to frustrate the Knights and let Bobrovsky cook in net.

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