Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers Pick and Prediction – May 14, 2024

BOSTON BRUINS VS. FLORIDA PANTHERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – May 14, 2024 — Same time, next year, and this time it’s Florida who’s ahead 3-1 with a chance to close things out. The Panthers fell behind 3-1 against the Bruins last season, then won three straight to finish off Boston and leave the Bruins’ stellar season in ashes.

Can Boston turn the tables this time? History says don’t count on it.

The Bruins have shown no ability to compete with the Panthers since Game 1. Florida has kept Boston from getting much of anything on the net, holding the Bruins to just 50 shots in the past three games. To put that in perspective, the Panthers took 41 shots in Game 4 alone.

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That’s just not going to work against Florida’s defense and Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers’ goaltender hasn’t had a lot to do, and that might not change here in Game 5. If there’s one thing Florida knows how to do, it’s close out a series lead. The Panthers haven’t had a lot of playoff appearances, but they’re 3-0 all-time when they go up 3-1 in a series. Boston, conversely, is 0-25 when it falls behind 3-1 in a series. Translation: if history’s a harbinger, the Bruins will be on the golf course soon.

The Odds

Puck Drop

When: Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. EST

Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla.

TV: ESPN

Public Bets: 86% on Florida

Public Money: 82% on Florida

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of May 14th, 2024

Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers In-Season Trends

This series really hasn’t been all that close. Boston got its seed more from overtime losses than it did from generating wins, and the gap between the two has been clear. Florida has dominated for the past 180-plus minutes and seems poised to end this series now.

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The goaltenders actually haven’t played all that great in this series, as the over has hit in three of four games in this series. The lone exception came last time out, when Florida emerged victorious by a 3-2 count. Bobrovsky hasn’t played particularly well in this series, but he has done enough because the Bruins haven’t tested him much at all. If Boston doesn’t get more pucks to the net, this will end in five games.

Players to Watch

With Brad Marchand done, the scoring job falls to Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk has been one of the only options for Boston on the power play, scoring three with the extra man in the playoffs. But Boston’s power play isn’t getting the job done; the Bruins are just 1-for-11 on the power play in this series. If DeBrusk doesn’t do the job, someone else has to score when Florida takes penalties.

Conversely, the Panthers have six power play goals in the series. Carter Verhaeghe has had a quiet series with just one goal, but he’s always a threat to score, especially with his amount of ice time. If the Bruins take penalties again, he’s likely to take advantage.

The Pick

Unlike some of the other series, this one has never felt like it’s remotely close. The Panthers have always felt like the better team, even after their Game 1 disaster.

Florida has improved at every level from last year, while Boston isn’t as good as it was a season ago. There isn’t going to be any comeback this year. The Panthers should finish the job.