Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Best Bets: Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Picks

Time has come to drop the puck on the championship round, and this series should be a doozy, especially for those who appreciate determined defensive team play, physical performances and enough high-end talent to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights dominated their conference finals, setting up what should be an entertaining showdown.

Here are our best bets heading into the curtain lifter. Odds are via FanDuel.

• Golden Knights/Hurricanes Under 5.5 goals (-102)
• Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen to stop over 22.5 shots in regulation (-106)
• Vegas forward Mark Stone to record 1+ points (-122)

Hurricanes and Golden Knights under 5.5 goals (-102)

Both clubs have shown excellent offensive prowess en route to reaching the finals. Vegas has averaged 3.63 goals per game in its 16 outings, while Carolina has netted 3.23 in 13 games.

But it is the defensive side of the ledger worth noting. The Hurricanes have been incredible with a 1.62 goals-against average, while the Golden Knights have surrendered 2.38 goals.

The first game of this series will definitely have a feeling-out process, and both clubs will be relying on the defensive side amidst it.

Worth noting, Carolina has been under 5.5 goals in 10 of 13 outings, while Vegas has surrendered only 21 goals in its last 11 games.

Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen to stop over 22.5 shots in regulation (-106)

Carolina held the Montreal Canadiens to fewer than 20 shots on goal in the three games of their series, an impressive feat. The Hurricanes held their opponents to less than 22 shots in six straight games before Montreal hit 24 in the clincher.

That said, the Golden Knights will provide a much more formidable offensive attack compared to any club the Hurricanes have faced in this year’s playoffs.

Vegas has averaged 27 shots per game, and should provide enough for Andersen to be called upon for at least 23 saves.

Vegas forward Mark Stone to record 1+ points (-122)

So much focus an attention among Vegas forwards will be placed on Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel, who anchor the club’s top two lines and will also be counted on to counter the top two lines of the Hurricanes.

That leaves an opening for Stone who skates on the third line with Colton Sissons and Tomas Hertl, plus is on the first power-play unit.

The Vegas captain was nicked up and missed five games before returning to action for the last two outings of the sweep of the Colorado Avalanche.

The break between that series and this showdown will have him that much healthier.

Stone has collected at least one point in four straight games and has been held off the scoresheet only twice in the 11 games in which he has hit the ice.