How the public is betting Panthers vs. Golden Knights in Game 1 of NHL Stanley Cup Final

Saturday PM update: Just a few hours out from the puck dropping for Game 1, we have some updates on the betting splits on the Stanley Cup Final opener.

The public is now mostly split on the moneyline with 52% of the money going towards Vegas while 51% of the total number of bets are on Florida to win. The public is still on the over with 70% of the handle and 68% of the bets going towards both teams eclipsing the 5.5 goal total. And finally, the public is now fully behind Florida on the public with 78% of the handle and 55% of the bets on the Panthers covering as a 1.5-goal underdog.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final begins Saturday at 8 p.m. ET with the Florida Panthers and Las Vegas Golden Knights facing off. Here’s a look at how the public is betting on tonight’s contest, with odds and insights courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

With Florida having so much success in close games this postseason (9-1 in one-goal games and 7-0 in overtime), it’s not a surprise that most of the early money for Game 1 is coming in on the Panthers at +110. Currently the Panthers are 59% of the betting action and 67% of the moneyline.

More surprising is the amount of money the public is placing on Game 1 hitting over the 5.5 goal total. Only one of the Panthers’ past eight playoff games has the goal total been more than five goals, that was Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, which Florida won 4-3. The goals have come a little easier in Vegas’ games, six of the past ten Vegas playoff games have went over 5.5, and the Golden Knights are 5-1 in those games. 65% of the bets and 65% of the handle are on Game 1 going over 5.5 goals.

The puck line betting is split. Florida is -195 with a +1.5 puck line and have garnered 56% of the bets. The money, however, is going with the Golden Knights +230 to win Game 1 by more than one goal. There’s 57% of the money banking on a big Vegas win Saturday.