The BB&T Center is playing host a divisional tilt as the Florida Panthers welcome the visiting Detroit Red Wings. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The first puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3, and it’ll be televised live on Fox Sports Detroit Plus.
Detroit Red Wings at Florida Panthers Odds
With a -145 moneyline, Florida enters the game as the substantial favorite. The line for Detroit sits at +125, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
Florida is 21-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with the 35-47 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 49 regular season matches, 27 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 11-11 SU at home this season.
The Panthers have converted on just 16.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Panthers have been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game overall this season, and 5.6 per game over their past ten games. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for a whopping 19.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .911 save percentage and 27.7 saves per game, James Reimer (13-19-5) has been the top goalkeeper for the Panthers this year. If the Panthers, however, decide to rest him, head coach Bob Boughner may turn to Roberto Luongo (6-9-9 record, .928 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average).
Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck will both be offensive focal points for the Panthers. Huberdeau (49 points) has tallied 17 goals and 32 assists and has recorded multiple points in 11 different games this year. Trocheck has 18 goals and 29 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 34 games.
On the other side of the ice, Detroit is 21-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 27 of its contests have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and none have pushed. As the road team, the Red Wings are 10-12 SU so far.
The Red Wings have converted on 18.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 21st overall and it’s successfully defended 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (2.82 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.2 saves per game and owns a 14-24-6 record.
Dylan Larkin (eight goals, 30 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings at Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Detroit is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 2-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Florida’s last five games.
Florida’s attempted 34.6 shots per contest overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 32.6 in their last five home outings.
Eight of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-5 in those games.
