Florida Panthers (21-20-5) vs. Montreal Canadiens (19-23-3)
January 19, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Montreal Canadiens +185 / Florida Panthers -238; Over/Under: +6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens meet Thursday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Florida Panthers Preview
The Florida Panthers are averaging 3.3 goals per game and are scoring on 22.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Matthew Tkachuk leads Florida with 22 goals, Brandon Montour has 29 assists and Sam Bennett has 140 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 74.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Sergei Bobrovsky has given up 90 goals on 875 shots faced, and Spencer Knight has allowed 55 goals on 586 shots.
The Montreal Canadiens Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring on 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 26 goals, Nick Suzuki has 21 assists and Josh Anderson has 93 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.6 goals per game and are killing 74.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Allen has given up 95 goals on 882 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 55 goals on 624 shots.
Trends
The Panthers are 22-10 in their last 32 Thursday games. The Canadiens are 1-7 in their last 8 games following a win and 42-90 in their last 132 overall. The under is 5-2-1 in Panthers last 8 road games. The under is 4-1 in Canadiens last 5 overall. The Panthers are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Montreal and 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. The favorite is 37-14 in the last 51 meetings. The home team is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The Florida Panthers have had some good results this week, and they’re starting to get the feeling they’re turning the corner here. The Montreal Canadiens still have issues stringing wins together, and they’re just not a club I’m looking to back against above average teams. The Panthers are a club to watch over the next couple of weeks. A run could be coming. Give me Florida and the PL for max betting value.
