Two clubs squaring off for the first time this season, the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins collide at TD Garden in a divisional showdown. TVA Sports will showcase the matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4.
Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston enters the matchup as the heavy favorite with a -205 moneyline. The line for Florida sits at +175, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 under, +100 over.
Earning 1.9 units for moneyline bettors, Boston is 22-16 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Atlantic Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 44-38 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 38 regular season outings, 20 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 13-8 SU at home this year.
The Bruins have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.6 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Bruins have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over their last five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties for 11.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 25.0 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (14 wins, 12 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Bruins this year. If the Bruins, however, decide to give him the night off, head coach Bruce Cassidy might turn to Anton Khudobin (8-6-6 record, .923 save percentage, 2.48 goals against average).
David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will both lead the way for the Bruins. Pastrnak (35 points) has produced 15 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Marchand has 16 goals and 18 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 20 games.
On the other side of the ice, Florida is 17-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 20 of its contests have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Panthers are 7-13 SU so far.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their past five games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
James Reimer (.912 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 28.4 saves per game and has 11 wins, 15 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will be coordinated by Jonathan Huberdeau (14 goals, 23 assists) and Vincent Trocheck (15 goals, 22 assists).
Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Boston’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this year.
The under has hit in three of Florida’s last five games.
Florida has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston is averaging 32.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Over Boston’s last ten outings, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-1 in those games).
The Bruins this season have tallied the eighth-most hits per game (23.3).
