The BB&T Center plays host to a cross-continent clash as the Edmonton Oilers travel to Florida to face the Panthers. It’s the final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The action will get started at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, and it can be watched live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Florida comes into the contest as the noticeable favorite with a -180 moneyline. The line for Edmonton sits at +160, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Florida is 35-33 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement compared to what the team did during the 2016-17 season (35-47). Of the team’s 68 games this season, 35 have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 22-13 SU at home.
The Panthers have converted on 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
The Panthers, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.7 per game over their past ten outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 11.4 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Sporting a .910 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, James Reimer (17-20-5) has been the best option in goal for the Panthers this season. If head coach Bob Boughner chooses to give him a rest, however, Florida could turn to Roberto Luongo (14-12-12 record, .926 save percentage, 2.61 goals against average).
The Panthers will continue seeking offensive production from Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck. Barkov (70 points) has produced 25 goals and 45 assists and has recorded two or more points 20 times this year. Trocheck has 27 goals and 38 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 45 games.
Edmonton is 30-40 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 70 regular season matches, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the away team, the Oilers are 14-20 SU.
The Oilers have converted on just 14.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 74.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (.907 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has 26 wins, 30 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Oilers, the offense will be facilitated through Connor McDavid, who has 53 assists and 33 goals this year.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Edmonton’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in three of Florida’s last five games.
This game features two clubs that put the puck on net a lot. Edmonton has registered the league’s seventh-most shots on goal (33.7) while Florida has attempted the third-most (34.3).
Five of Florida’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 4-1 overall in those games.
Edmonton skaters have dished out the second-most hits in the league (27.2 per game), but that number’s down to just 21.6 hits over their last five away games.
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