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The Florida Panthers (9-7-2) and Columbus Blue Jackets (7-8-0) will meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Panthers are favored at -125 on the moneyline, with the Blue Jackets at +102 to pull off the upset. The over/under is set at 5.5 (-130o / +106u).
Let's get into our Panthers vs. Blue Jackets predictions and NHL picks.
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
- Pick: Panthers ML
Our Florida vs. Columbus best bet is on the Panthers to win, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your NHL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NHL odds page.
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Panthers vs Blue Jackets Odds
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +194 | 5.5 -130o / 106u | -125 |
| Blue Jackets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -245 | 5.5 -130o / 106u | +104 |
- Panthers vs. Blue Jackets puck line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-245), Panthers -1.5 (+194)
- Panthers vs. Blue Jackets over/under: 5.5 (-130o / +106u)
- Panthers vs. Blue Jackets moneyline: Panthers -125, Blue Jackets +104
- Panthers vs. Blue Jackets best bet: Panthers ML
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Pick
The Panthers come into Columbus for the second time this season, as they look to flick away their two-game losing streak. On Sunday, Florida fell to the Bruins 4-1 after holding its own for the majority of the game. MoneyPuck had given the Cats a 50% chance on its "Deserve-to-Win O'Meter."
Right now, Florida is a very volatile team. It has the talent up front with both Tkachuk brothers, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, but the Panthers are still missing captain Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand.
And the fact that Jacob Markstrom is going to continue to be their goalie is a major red flag to me. You want to talk about volatile? Look no further than the 6-foot-6 behemoth in Florida's net.
Meanwhile, Columbus is no better. Coach Rick Bowness came out of retirement in hopes of taking this team to the next level, but instead, it's working in the opposite direction.
Bowness went from periodically being an analyst on TNT and relaxing in his cabin in Nova Scotia to ripping his team a new one every few weeks. The Jackets can't seem to get out of their own way, and even worse, their top goaltender Jet Greaves is getting outplayed by 39-year-old Cam Talbot.
Columbus is playing really solid defensive hockey, ranking in the top 10 with a 32.9 xGA, but it's a shame because its offense is anemic with a bottom-three 30.62 xGF%.
You can't really trust either of these teams, but Florida is the safer bet here.
While Markstrom is not someone you typically want to back, the fact that Columbus can't score to save its life is a major help. It also helps that Florida has a second-ranked 29.53 xGA.
Take the Cats outright.
Best Bet: Panthers ML (-125, FanDuel)
