The 2023 Stanley Cup Final begins Saturday as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Florida Panthers for Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET. Vegas is making its second appearance in the Final since joining the NHL in 2017-18 after ousting Dallas in six games in the Western Conference Final. Florida also has reached the championship round for the second time in its history as it swept Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final. 

Vegas is a -140 favorite (risk $140 to win $100) in the latest Golden Knights vs. Panthers odds at Caesars Sportsbook. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game on our NHL odds page). 

Before making any Panthers vs. Golden Knights picks, you NEED to check out the NHL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

This model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, taking into account factors like current form, individual matchups, injuries and short- and long-term trends when making NHL picks. The model seeks the best values on the money line, puck line and total.

The model has considered that Vegas is the highest-scoring team after three rounds of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 62 goals in 17 games and netting at least four tallies in 11 of its 12 victories. William Karlsson is tied for second in the league with 10 postseason goals, with half coming against the Stars in the conference final. Competing in the playoffs for the first time since being drafted second overall by Buffalo in 2015, Jack Eichel is tied for fourth in the NHL with 18 points and third with 12 assists.

It also has factored in that Florida has won 11 of 12 games since trailing Boston 3-1 in the first round. Each of the Panthers' last eight games have been decided by one goal, with the team going 7-1 during that span. Matthew Tkachuk ranks second in the league with a franchise postseason-record 21 points and is tied for first with four game-winning goals - three of which have come in overtime, where Florida is 6-0.

Now, it has set its sights on Golden Knights vs. Panthers. We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the money line has ALL the value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any NHL picks.

Who wins Golden Knights vs. Panthers in Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final? And which side of the money line has ALL the value? Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Panthers vs. Golden Knights matchup you should be all over Saturday, all from the model that has simulated this game 10,000 times!