Capitals vs. Panthers Game 2 NHL Picks: Can Florida Bounce Back to Even Series?

The Washington Capitals mounted a third-period comeback to beat the Florida Panthers 4-2 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Florida looks to even the series in Game 2 on Thursday night. Here are our Capitals-Panthers picks.

The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy with 122 points, but you couldn't tell that from Game 1. The Capitals kept up with them and had multiple leads in the game.

Washington opened the scoring, but then fell behind 2-1 early in the second period. The game stayed that way until midway through the third period. Alex Ovechkin poke checked Mackenzie Weegar and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored on the breakaway. T.J. Oshie scored a few minutes later and the Capitals held on for the comeback win.

It was a rare home loss for Florida. The Cats were 34-7-0 at home during the regular season. They'll look to even the series before traveling up to D.C. for Game 3.

Here are my picks and predictions for Thursday's NHL matchup between the Capitals and Panthers (odds via Unibet, DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Capitals vs. Panthers Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, May 5, 7:30 p.m. ETTV: TBS, SN360, TVS2, BSFL, NBCSWALocation: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL

Capitals vs. Panthers Odds Analysis

The Panthers are up to between -250 (BetMGM) and -278 (FoxBet) after opening at -235. Most of the tickets have come in on the home favorite. The Capitals are up to as high as +210 (DraftKings) after opening at +190.

On the puck line, the Panthers are -1.5 (+100) at DraftKings and the Capitals are +1.5 (-117) at Unibet.

The total opened at 6.5 with the Over heavily favored. It is still at 6.5 at DraftKings with the Over -130 and Under +110. However, you can get Over 7 (+114) at FanDuel and Under 7 (-136) at Unibet.

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Capitals vs. Panthers Picks

Capitals +1.5 (-117 via Unibet) ???Under 6.5 (+110 via DraftKings) ???Claude Giroux Over 0.5 points (-180 via DraftKings) ????

SEE ALSO: Penguins vs. Rangers Game 2 NHL Picks

Capitals vs. Panthers Predictions

Capitals +1.5 (-117)

Washington has playoff experience on its side and the Caps matched the Panthers pretty well in Game 1. The Capitals have played the Panthers tough for four straight games now. In the regular season, all three meetings were decided by one goal, including one in overtime. Washington is an even 2-2 against Florida in those four games.

The Capitals played a lot of close games this season, not just against the Panthers. Washington went 21-5 as +1.5 underdogs this season. On the other hand, the Panthers were 35-40 on the -1.5 puck line.

I think Florida has the talent to bounce back and win Game 2, but the moneyline has too much juice. I think the Capitals will keep it close and -117 is a good price.

Under 6.5 (+110)

There were six goals in Game 1, including an empty-netter, yet this line continues to climb higher. I'm not buying it.

Sergei Bobrovsky played well on Tuesday with 34 saves on 37 shots in the loss. Vitek Vanecek didn't miss a beat in his first start of the playoffs with 30 saves on 32 shots for the Capitals. Both of these goalies will be locked in for Game 2.

There is also interesting action and line movement. There have been more bets on the Over, but more of the handle has been bet on the Under. I'll ride with that and bank on another lower-scoring game at +110.

Claude Giroux Over 0.5 points (-180)

Claude Giroux scored the Panthers' second goal in Game 1 to continue his great play with Florida. He had 23 points in 18 regular-season games and was held off the scoresheet in only five of those games.

The former Philadelphia Flyers captain has plenty of playoff experience and has fit in nicely with the Panthers. He should find the scoresheet again Thursday.

Where to Bet Capitals-Panthers Picks

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Capitals-Panthers picks made on 5/5/2022 at 4:11 a.m. ET.