NHL Odds, Preview: Panthers vs Penguins Prediction (Wednesday, February 14)
Via Megan Briggs/Getty Images. Pictured: Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers looks on against the Washington Capitals during the second period of the game at Amerant Bank Arena on February 08, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
Panthers vs. Penguins Prediction, Odds
| Panthers Odds | -125 |
| Penguins Odds | +105 |
| Over / Under | 6 -110/ -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Florida Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, February 14 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
It's a sweet Valentine's Day matchup to kick off the three-game NHL slate on Wednesday, with the third and final meeting of the year between the Penguins and Panthers. Florida won 3-1 on home ice in early December before claiming a 3-2 shootout victory at PPG Paints Arena on Jan. 26.
Both teams have been off since Saturday and will be playing the first games of back-to-back sets. The Penguins are set to visit Chicago on Thursday while the Panthers head to Buffalo before wrapping up their three-game road trip in Tampa on Saturday.
Here's why you should look to the total in what could be a low-event game in Steel City with my Panthers vs. Penguins pick and prediction.
It's been a nice run for the Panthers lately as they have won six of their last seven games and are keeping the Boston Bruins in their sights atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Florida has been strong in a variety of areas this season. This is the top puck-possession team in the East, with an Expected Goals Share of 56.22% at 5-on-5. The Panthers are also strong on the power play and penalty kill as both rank sixth-best in the league. Their 5-on-5 team save percentage of .928 ranks third-best overall as well.
That's highlighted by Sergei Bobrovsky's second Star of the Week award out of the All-Star break after he followed up a win against the Capitals and two goals allowed with his third shutout of the year against the Avalanche on Saturday.
Given Sam Reinhart's torrid scoring pace this season, you might think that the Panthers are easily burying their opponents with offense, but that's not the case; they're actually 13th overall, at 3.19 goals per game. Carter Verhaeghe is the only other Panther over 20 goals, but it's worth noting that Matthew Tkachuk's overall production has heated up. He has 29 points in 16 games since Jan. 1.
The Panthers are healthy, and Bobrovsky is projected to start in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
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The road ahead isn't looking any easier for the Penguins, whose one-goal road losses to the Wild and Jets last week have pushed them seven points shy of a wild-card spot heading into Tuesday.
A plus-13 Goal Differential suggests that the Penguins deserve a better fate in the win/loss column — and they do still have multiple games in hand on the teams they're chasing in the standings. They also control a solid 52.37% of possession at 5-on-5, but not even some recent signs of life on the power play have been enough to get the ship pointed in the right direction.
The Penguins do have a couple of recent injuries — concussions for forwards Jansen Harkins and Noel Acciari. In net, both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic are delivering everything that could be asked of them, but still, the results are coming up short too often.
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Panthers vs. Penguins
Betting Pick & Prediction
After opening as -115 favorites on the moneyline, the visiting Panthers have seen the moneyline move further in their favor. They have also had Pittsburgh's number this season.
But the other thing we've learned about both these teams — both in the their head-to-head games and, quite frankly, throughout the season — is that neither side gives up much.
Both teams are likely to go with their starters on Wednesday, but even if one of their backups gets pressed into service, goals will still be hard to come by.
If you're feeling bold, take a long look at the Under of 5.5 at PointsBet at a very appealing +115 as of Tuesday night. To play it a little safer, take Under 6 at -110 at BetMGM or Caesars — still a better potential payoff than a moneyline bet on Florida.
Pick: Under 6 (-110 | Play to -120)
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