Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

The Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers meet at FLA Live Arena Thursday night for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, a best-of-seven series. The series is tied 2-2. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN2.

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Score Prediction

Panthers 4, Capitals 3

Best Bet

Capitals +1.5 (-118)
Over 6.5 (-123)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS PREDICTIONS

The Capitals surprised the Panthers in Sunrise back in the series opener on May 3, winning 4-2 as the UNDER connected. The Panthers looked like the President's Trophy winner with a 5-1 win in Game 2, again as the UNDER cashed. In Game 3, the Capitals blasted the Panthers in D.C. in Game 3, taking a surprising 2-1 series lead. It appeared that the Caps were on the verge of a 3-1 series lead, as they were ahead 2-1 late in the third period. Garnet Hathaway missed the empty net, which would have put the game away. Sam Reinhart took advantage with the extra attacker, tying the game and forcing overtime. It only took 4:57 before Carter Verhaeghe struck for the OT winner.

It was a huge difference, as the Panthers could have been on the brink of elimination. Instead, they are tied 2-2, and have seized home-ice advantage back in this series. The Panthers will take advantage, and rack up a big win on home ice in Game 5. As has been the case for the Panthers, however, it will likely be a high-scoring affair, they'll have to come back from an early deficit, and goaltending won't be terribly good.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS BETTING ODDS

Capitals +190
Panthers -222
Capitals +1.5 (-122)
Panthers -1.5 (+112)
Over 6.5 (-120)
Under 6.5 (+105)

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Updated on 12/26/2024

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WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
• Matchup: Metropolitan vs. Atlantic
• Venue: FLA Live Arena
• Location: Sunrise, Florida
• TV-Time: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON CAPITALS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 46-27-13
• ATS: 45-41
• O/U: 47-35-4

The Capitals were oh-so-close to nailing down a 3-1 series lead, backing the Panthers into the corner, forcing an elimination game. If they fail to win this series, Caps fans and players might replay that Hathaway empty-net attempt over and over and over again. That's how close they were to a big series lead. Now, they need to go back down to Florida and win at least one more game on road ice. It's not impossible, but they're back to square one.

Washington has still won just two of the past eight games overall, and they're 2-6 in the past eight playoff games as an underdog. They're also 3-8 in the past 11 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals games, while going 2-5 in the past seven against teams with a winning record. It should have been much different, but it's not.

The Caps closed the season on an OVER run, but it's all about the UNDER lately. The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall, while going 4-1-1 in the past six against winning teams, and 4-1 in the past five on the road. The UNDER is 5-1-1 in the past seven Eastern QF games, too.

FLORIDA PANTHERS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 60-20-6
• ATS: 43-43
• O/U: 45-33-8

Florida was a President's Trophy winner for a reason. They had 122 points during the regular season, and it wasn't always pretty. But sometimes Florida found a way even when it wasn't playing its best hockey. That's what good teams do.

The Panthers are a ridiculous 45-8 in the past 53 games as a home favorite, and 47-11 in the past 58 home games overall. They're 36-15 in the past 51 when playing on a day of rest, too. Florida has won five of the past seven at home against Washington, too.

For totals, the UNDER is 9-3-4 in the past 16 games overall, while going 4-1-3 in the past eight games at home, while going 6-1 in the previous seven in the Quarterfinals round.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS CONCLUSION

I think Washington is going to have a huge hangover. They might dwell on what could have been, instead of what is. Florida is going to be extremely relieved after escaping D.C. tied 2-2, rather than going down 3-1 in the series. It was super close, and they survived. Now they're going to thrive.

Florida might fall behind early. It's been the way of it this season. But the Panthers have also used a powerful offense to pound opponents, particular on home ice, turning deficits quickly into big leads. Game 5 will be a microcosm of their season, and suddenly Washington will be headed home Friday on the precipice.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS BETTING TRENDS

• Capitals are 2-6 in the past eight games overall.
• Capitals are 2-6 in the past eight playoff games as a 'dog.
• Capitals are 3-8 in the past 11 Eastern QF games.
• Panthers are 42-15 in the past 57 games overall.
• Panthers are 47-11 in the past 58 home games.
• Panthers are 45-8 in the past 53 as a home favorite.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall for the Caps.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five road games for the Caps.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five as a 'dog for the Caps.
• UNDER is 5-1-1 in the past seven Eastern QF games for the Caps.
• UNDER is 9-3-4 in the past 16 games overall for the Panthers.
• UNDER is 4-1-3 in the past eight home games for the Panthers.
• UNDER is 9-3-4 in the past 16 as a favorite for the Panthers.
• UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven Eastern QF games for the Panthers.
• Favorite is 39-19 in the past 58 meetings.
• Home team is 6-2 in the past eight meetings.
• Capitals are 2-5 in the past seven trips to Florida.
• OVER is 9-3 in the past 12 meetings.

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish