The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue to showcase great hockey. The game’s best players are playing at their best right now, and it is a pleasure to watch every night. You can feel the energy as every game means more and more as we get closer to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Let’s take a look at our NHL Best Bet for May 23rd.

NHL Best Bet

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Shockingly, the Tampa Bay Lightning have jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, securing two of their three wins on the road. The Panthers, who won the President’s trophy for most points in the NHL, have looked completely over-matched by the Lightning this series. So far, the Panthers have been outscored 11-3 in three games this series. The Panthers have not looked like the same team that tallied 122 points in the regular season.

The Lightning and Panthers were two of the best scoring teams in the NHL during the regular season. However, the Lightning have shut down the Panthers’ scoring attack this series. The Panthers have only scored one goal per game in the first three match-ups. I do not think that will continue as the Panthers will be pushing down 3-0.

Tonight’s game is an interesting one for both teams. Rarely in the NHL playoffs do teams play back-to-back. In the regular season, teams would just play their backup goalie in one of the games, so they don’t overwork their starter. Each team has not confirmed their starting goalie just yet, so it is possible to see a backup goalie tonight.

With uncertainty between the pipes and both teams’ prolific offenses, I expect this game to be high-scoring and go over the total.

The Play: Over 6 (-125)

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