In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Florida Panthers and the Nashville Predators take the ice at Bridgestone Arena for an East-versus-West showdown. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, and fans at home can catch it live on Fox Sports Tennesse.
Florida Panthers vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Netting 7.0 units for moneyline bettors, Nashville is 27-17 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the league so far in the early season, is an improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (41-41). 23 of its 44 games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 15-6 SU at home this year.
The Predators have converted on 23.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 11th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Predators have been called for penalties 5.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five matchups home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (22-11-3) has been the best goalkeeper for Nashville this year. If the Preds, however, decide to give him the night off, Nashville could turn to Juuse Saros (5-7-7 record, .930 save percentage, 2.22 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban will both lead the offensive attack for the Predators. Forsberg (34 points) has tallied 15 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points in eight different games this year. Subban has nine goals and 24 assists to his name and has notched a point in 24 contests.
Florida is 19-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 22 of its matches have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Panthers are 8-15 SU.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.4 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their last ten games. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer (28.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer has 13 wins, 18 losses, and five OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .910 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
Jonathan Huberdeau (16 goals, 29 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Panthers.
Florida Panthers at Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Nashville’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 4-4 overall in shootouts this year.
The under has hit in four of Nashville’s last five outings.
The Panthers have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.4) and Nashville has attempted the 24th-most (only 30.6).
Nashville has allowed 2.6 goals per game overall this year, but is giving up only 1.5 per contest in its last four games (the team’s a perfect 1-0 SU over that span).
