In this article, we will formulate a Hockey Club vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, January 8th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview
The Utah Hockey Club are 17-15-7 this year after they lost to Dallas by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Utah tied the game at two in the second period, but they couldn’t find any more offense and eventually lost in overtime. The Hockey Club outshot Dallas by a total of 35-29, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Utah got both goals from Maccelli, while Vejmelka stopped 26 out of 29 shots in the loss.
Prior to that loss, the Hockey Club defeated the Flames by a score of 5-3 but did lose to the Oilers by a score of 4-1 before that. Utah has lost six of their last seven games and they are currently sixth in the Central standings with 41 points. Utah has scored 2.90 goals per game and they have allowed 2.97 goals against per game, while also going 22.2% on the power play and 80.7% on the penalty kill this season. Clayton Keller has led Utah with 14 goals, 25 assists, and 101 shots on goal, while Dylan Guenther has added 16 goals, 18 assists, and 96 shots on goal. Karel Vejmelka is 9-10-3 with a 2.45 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this year.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 24-15-2 this season after they lost to Colorado by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Florida led 1-0 after the first period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Panthers were outshot by a total of 34-27, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got their lone goal from Verhaeghe, while Bobrovsky stopped 31 out of 33 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Panthers defeated the Penguins by a score of 3-2 but did lose to the Hurricanes by a score of 3-1 before that. Florida has lost four of their last six games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 50 points. Florida has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 25% on the power play and 80.8% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 22 goals, 24 assists, and 100 shots on goal, while Matthew Tkachuk has added 14 goals, 22 assists, and 106 shots on goal. Sergei Bobrovsky is 17-9-1 with a 2.76 goals against average and a .901 save percentage this season.
Why the Hockey Club will beat the Panthers
- The Panthers have lost six of their last seven games as favorites following a road loss.
- Utah has won three of its last four games as an underdog after coming off overtime.
- The underdog has covered the puck line in seven of Utah’s last eight games at Delta Center.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games.
- The Panthers have lost the second period in each of their last four games following a road loss.
Why the Panthers will beat the Hockey Club
- The Panthers have won each of their last nine Wednesday road games.
- Utah has lost eight of its last nine games at Delta Center.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last six Wednesday games.
- Utah has failed to cover the puck line in four of its last five games at Delta Center.
- Utah has lost the second period in each of its last six night games at Delta Center.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of Utah’s last 10 games after coming off overtime have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Panthers’ last six games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in four of Utah’s last five games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in seven of the Panthers’ last eight games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Utah Hockey Club Player Prop Facts
- Dylan Guenther has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine Wednesday appearances.
- Jack McBain has scored a goal in each of Utah’s last three games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Logan Cooley has recorded an assist in each of Utah’s last three games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Aaron Ekblad has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers’ last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one point in each of the Panthers’ last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Hockey Club vs Panthers Prediction
Utah comes into this matchup really struggling over the last two weeks, as they have lost six of their last seven games, but they will be at home for this contest. The Hockey Club is 5-7-4 at home this year, while the Panthers are 12-7-1 on the road. Florida has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, but their offense has been pretty low-scoring recently. I don’t like how either one of these teams is playing right now and with both offenses struggling to score on a consistent basis, I am taking the under in this matchup.