The Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers meet Thursday in NHL action at the Amerant Bank Arena. Here’s a Panthers vs. Blue Jackets prediction. This article will include a Panthers vs. Blue Jackets pick.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Kings, beat the Lightning, and play the Flyers next. The Blue Jackets have split their last 8 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.19 goals per game and are scoring on 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 24 goals, Zach Werenski has 48 assists and Adam Fantilli has 169 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.19 goals per game and are killing 78 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 109 goals on 1,176 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 83 goals on 717 shots.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers lost to the Blue Jackets, beat the Red Wings, and play the Kraken next. The Panthers have lost 9 of their last 13 games.
The Florida Panthers are averaging 2.98 goals per game and are scoring on 19.4 percent of their power-play opportunities. Sam Reinhart leads Florida with 28 goals, Carter Verhaeghe has 27 assists, and Sam Bennett has 168 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3.31 goals per game and are killing 82.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 131 goals on 1,055 shots faced, while Daniil Tarasov has given up 60 goals on 609 shots.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won each of their last 12 games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have lost 11 of their last 12 games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games against the Blue Jackets following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games at Amerant Bank Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Panthers have won the second period in each of their last 10 night games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Panthers’ last six games.
- The Panthers have lost each of their last five games as home favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites following a win.
- The Panthers have lost the second period in each of their last five games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as road underdogs following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Panthers’ last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 19 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Reinhart has scored the last goal in each of the Panthers’ last three games against Metropolitan Division opponents at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in each of the Panthers’ last four home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Panthers’ last 10 games against the Blue Jackets.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 13 appearances—the equal-longest active streak in the league.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has scored at least one goal in each of his last five road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances in road games.
- Mathieu Olivier has scored two goals against the Panthers this season—the most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers rank 6th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.19%).
- The Florida Panthers rank 25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.31).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T2nd in the league in shorthanded goals allowed this season (2).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.27).
Panthers vs Blue Jackets Prediction
The Panthers are coming off nice wins over the Red Wings to keep their almost nonexistent playoff hopes alive and they’re always a tough out at home. However, the Blue Jackets have been the better team this season and just beat the Panthers last week. The Blue Jackets are a playoff contender but need to keep racking up the points to sneak in. The Blue Jackets can’t afford to blow games like this. We’re getting a pick em price and while home ice matters, I’ll lean toward the better team that still has something to play for at this stage. Give me the Blue Jackets.