In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Senators prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, October 11th at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 2-0-0 this year after they defeated Philadelphia by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Florida blew a 1-0 lead in the second period, but scored the only goal of the third period to get the low scoring win. The Panthers out shot Philadelphia by a total of 34-20, won 38.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Florida also recorded 27 hits and five blocked shots in the win. The Panthers got goals from Lundell and Marchand, while Samoskevich and Luostarinen led the team with three hits each. Florida started Bobrovsky, who stopped 19 out of 20 shots, which was a .950 save percentage.
The Panthers started the season with a 3-2 win over Chicago in the first game of the NHL season. Florida is averaging 2.50 goals per game and they are allowing 1.50 goals against per game, while they are also averaging 28.6% on the power play and 100% on the penalty kill this season. Samoskevich, Greer, and Rodrigues have led Florida with two points each so far this year. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 2-0-0 with a 1.51 goals against average and a .923 save percentage this season.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators are 1-0-0 this season after they defeated Tampa Bay by a score of 5-4 in their first game. Ottawa trailed 3-1 after the first period, but they scored the next four goals and were able to hang on for the close win. The Senators out shot TB by a total of 34-25, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Ottawa also recorded 37 hits and 10 blocked shots in the win. The Senators got goals from Cozens, Giroux, Pinto (2), and Zub, while Zetterlund led the team with seven hits. Ottawa started Ullmark, who stopped 21 out of 25 shots, which was an .840 save percentage.
The Senators were 45-30-7 last year and they finished with 97 points, which was fourth in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa was up and down for most of the year, but they finished the regular season playing some very impressive hockey to get into the playoffs. The Senators started the year by winning four of their first six games, including a 3-1 win over Florida in their opener. Ottawa finished the regular season by winning 15 of their last 22 games, before losing to Toronto in six games in the first round. Last year, Ottawa scored 242 goals, which was ranked 18th in the NHL, while they allowed 232 goals against, which was ranked 13th.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Senators’ last five games.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Senators’ last six games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games following a home win.
- The Senators have won the second period in each of their last six games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Eleven of the Panthers’ last 13 home night games following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Senators’ last six games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Panthers’ last nine games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Senators’ last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Anton Lundell has scored a goal in each of the Panthers’ last three home games against the Senators.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine Saturday night appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight Saturday night appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jesper Boqvist ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (1) this season.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Brady Tkachuk has recorded at least one point in each of the Senators’ last six games.
- Tim Stutzle has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Senators’ last 11 games as road underdogs.
- Shane Pinto ranks T1st in the league for multi-goal game (1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers rank T1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (100.00%).
- The Florida Panthers rank T5th in the league for goals against per game this season (1.50).
- The Ottawa Senators rank 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (33.33%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank T2nd in the league for goals per game this season (5.00).
Panthers vs Senators Prediction
Florida comes into this matchup with a 2-0 record on the season, but they have not been super impressive against two below average teams. Ottawa picked up a nice win against Tampa Bay in their opener and I think their offense is going to overwhelm Florida here. The Panthers are dealing with some key injuries right now and have struggled to score in their first two games. Take Ottawa to win on the road here.