The Florida Panthers (3-3-0) and Boston Bruins (3-2-0) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Panthers are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-120 / +100). The Panthers are a -155 favorite to win outright, while the Bruins are +130 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Panthers vs. Bruins predictions and NHL picks.
Panthers vs. Bruins Odds, Pick
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +165 | 5.5 -120o / 100u | -155 |
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -200 | 5.5 -120o / 100u | +130 |
- Panthers vs. Bruins Spread: Panthers -1.5 (+165), Bruins +1.5 (-200)
- Panthers vs. Bruins Over/Under: 5.5 (-120 / +100)
- Panthers vs. Bruins Moneyline: Panthers -155, Bruins +130
Panthers vs. Bruins Preview
Compared to preseason expectations, both of these teams are performing differently than anticipated. The defending champions are certainly not where they want to be with a 3-4 record through the first seven games.
Sitting right behind them are the Boston Bruins, who entered the season with low expectations but have been competitive with an identical record. That said, there is no denying that the Florida Panthers are still the superior team.
It’s easy to attribute Florida’s 3-4 record to the absences of Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. However, despite missing their two best players, the Panthers are playing well and performing better than their record suggests.
This season, Florida ranks in the top half of the league in both expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Meanwhile, Boston ranks 21st and 25th in those categories.
The Panthers have been better than the Bruins both offensively and defensively, which leaves the goaltending battle. Sergei Bobrovsky is slated to start for Florida, while Jeremy Swayman is projected to start across the ice.
This matchup is likely even, given that both netminders carry an identical .917 save percentage (SV%).
Panthers vs. Bruins Prediction
Boston doesn’t hold a single advantage in this matchup other than home ice, and that doesn’t offset the other key factors. Florida has generated more high-danger scoring chances in the offensive zone while suppressing them more effectively at the other end.
Even with their injuries, the Panthers have been the better team this season on both sides of the ice.
Finally, Florida has won six of the past nine meetings between these teams, a trend likely to continue Tuesday.
Pick: Panthers Moneyline (-155 | Play to -165)
