Game 1 of the Conference Finals reveal decent value bets moving forward on players like Eetu Luostarinen, Matt Duchene
With Game 1s of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals in the books, bettors have a lot to think about as some under-the-radar names stole the spotlight. While the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars took commanding series leads, it was the contributions from depth forwards that shifted the betting landscape.
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Eastern Conference: Florida Panthers 5, Carolina Hurricanes 2
The Panthers exploded for five goals against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t just the usual suspects lighting the lamp. Forwards A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen both tallied goals, continuing a trend of unexpected but impactful production.
Luostarinen, in particular, has been a quietly dominant force. Now leading the team in playoff points with 13 (four goals, nine assists) through 13 games, he’s thriving alongside linemates Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell.
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Marchand himself has 12 points, making that line arguably Florida’s most productive — and yet Luostarinen is still often listed at solid value on betting boards to register a point or score. With his current pace, he’s worth keeping a close eye on for bettors looking to cash in on overlooked options.
Greer, while not putting up the same numbers, has found ways to contribute in timely moments. His Game 1 goal marked just his second of the playoffs, but with increased confidence and opportunity, he could continue to surprise.
Western Conference: Dallas Stars 6, Edmonton Oilers 3
The Stars rallied in dramatic fashion with five unanswered goals in the third period to knock off the Oilers in a statement win. But the story here wasn’t just the comeback — it was the long-awaited arrival of Dallas’s secondary scoring.
Tyler Seguin turned back the clock with two goals and an assist, while Matt Duchene, who had an 82-point regular season, finally broke through with his first goal of the playoffs.
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For a team that’s relied heavily on its top two lines, this depth scoring couldn’t have come at a better time and for bettors, it presents new angles to consider.
Seguin and Duchene are regularly priced lower than top-tier point producers, but if Game 1 is any indication, they could be heating up at just the right time. Duchene especially, given his season-long form, could be a strong value pick to get on the scoresheet in upcoming games.
Betting Takeaways:
- Eetu Luostarinen leads the Panthers in playoff scoring and remains undervalued in many betting markets.
- A.J. Greer is finding timely production and could be a sneaky anytime goal scorer pick.
- Tyler Seguin is looking like a playoff version of his old self and may continue to provide strong value.
- Matt Duchene’s breakout performance could mark the start of a scoring run worth riding.
As the Conference Finals continue, these depth performers could offer the best value for bettors looking beyond the big-name stars.
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