The Florida Panthers (11-9-1) and Nashville Predators (6-11-4) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EST at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. 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 (-130o / +105u). The Panthers are a -150 favorite to win outright, while the Predators are +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Panthers vs. Predators predictions and NHL picks.
Panthers vs. Predators Odds, Pick
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +170 | 5.5 -130o / +105u | -150 |
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -198 | 5.5 -130o / +105u | +125 |
- Panthers vs. Predators Spread: Panthers -1.5 (+170), Predators +1.5 (-198)
- Panthers vs. Predators Over/Under: 5.5 (-130o / +105u)
- Panthers vs. Predators Moneyline: Panthers -150, Predators +125
Panthers vs. Predators Preview
Florida Panthers
Welcome to the Florida Panthers’ first taste of adversity.
After three consecutive seasons reaching the Stanley Cup Final, they've run into plenty of hardships as this NHL campaign wears on.
It started with the expectation that superstar Matthew Tkachuk would miss time to open the season.
Then came the blow of losing captain and two-way gem Aleksander Barkov to an ACL injury in training camp, not exactly a great omen. And just four days ago, we learned that center Eetu Luostarinen would miss time after suffering burns from a barbecue accident. Yes, you read that right.
So, in turn, Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart are doing their best to prop up the two-time defending champs and keep them in the playoff hunt, but it’s been extremely difficult.
Over the past two weeks, Florida has posted a below-standard 48.62 xGF% and a third-worst 3.11 xGA/60.
In net, it looks like age and wear-and-tear are starting to catch up to Sergei Bobrovsky. The 37-year-old has played a ton of hockey over the past three years, and it seems coach Paul Maurice is going to keep riding him.
Right now, he’s sitting at an .887 SV% with an exact 0.0 GSAx, and it didn’t help that he got run out of Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. You should probably expect to see him again in tonight’s duel.
Nashville Predators
You all remember how, in Barry Trotz’s first offseason as General Manager, the Predators loaded up on talent to make a run?
How short-lived that was, huh?
It couldn’t be going much worse for Predators, who currently hold the worst record in hockey and are carrying an abysmal 2-6-2 stretch over their last 10 games.
Because of that, it shouldn’t be surprising that Nashville is playing to a lowly 48.59 xGF% over the past two weeks. Oddly enough, though, it has been fairly decent defensively, posting a respectable 2.52 xGA/60 despite being without captain Roman Josi for a large portion of that span.
When you look at the roster and the level of production it’s generating, it becomes clear why this team has struggled so much.
The only true high-end talents are Filip Forsberg, Josi and goaltender Juuse Saros. But Josi turns 36 in June, and beyond that, it feels like there’s just not much brewing on Broadway.
I mention Saros because he’s been a Vezina-caliber goaltender for most of his career, but things haven’t been smooth this season. He’s currently playing below his usual standard with an .896 SV% and a 0.9 GSAx.
Panthers vs. Predators Prediction
Usually, when we see situations where two underperforming netminders and two struggling defenses meet, it points toward an over play.
But even with the total at 5.5, I’m going to take the under here.
Truthfully, I think this is going to be an ugly game, and neither team has shown any real consistency in its current form. Nashville has lost four straight at home, while Florida split its last four-game road trip.
You also have to wonder whether this could be a chance for either netminder to get back on track. While Saros and Bobrovsky are underperforming this season, they’re still two of the best to ever do it.
I always like my plus-money bets, especially when there’s real value hiding in the shadows. So we’re riding with the under here.
Pick: Under 5.5 Goals (+105)
