The Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators meet Thursday in NHL action at the Canadian Tire Centre. Here’s a Senators vs. Panthers Prediction. This article will include a Senators vs. Panthers Pick.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers lost to the Penguins and Habs and play the Maple Leafs next. The Panthers have lost 6 of their last 8 games.
The Florida Panthers are averaging 2.92 goals per game and are scoring on 19.5 percent of their power-play opportunities. Sam Reinhart leads Florida with 29 goals, Sam Bennett has 32 assists, and Carter Verhaeghe has 186 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3.38 goals per game and are killing 81.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 150 goals on 1,225 shots faced, while Daniil Tarasov has given up 92 goals on 853 shots.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators beat the Hurricanes and Lightning and play the Islanders next. The Senators have won 12 of their last 18 games.
The Ottawa Senators are averaging 3.35 goals per game and are scoring 23.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Tim Stutzle leads Ottawa with 34 goals, Jake Sanderson has 38 assists and Brady Tkachuk has 219 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 3.06 goals per game and are killing 74.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Linus Ullmark has allowed 130 goals on 1,152 shots faced, while Leevi Merilainen has given up 64 goals on 457 shots.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The home team has won each of the Panthers’ last seven games.
- The Panthers have lost each of their last six road games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in 16 of their last 18 night games following a shootout win.
- The home team has covered the puck line in seven of the Panthers’ last eight games.
- The Panthers have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a shootout win.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Senators.
- The Senators have lost each of their last two games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs following a shootout loss.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Panthers have won the second period in seven of their last eight night games against the Senators when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Panthers’ last seven road games after coming off overtime has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Senators’ last four night games at Canadian Tire Centre following a win has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Thursday night games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 13 games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last eight home games.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Drake Batherson has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances against the Panthers.
- Jake Sanderson has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances against the Senators.
- Nolan Foote has scored at least one goal in each of his last three appearances with his team as a road underdog against Atlantic Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Ottawa Senators rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.00%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank 8th in the league for goals per game this season (3.35).
- The Florida Panthers rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.38).
- The Florida Panthers rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.82).
Senators vs Panthers Prediction
The Panthers are still competing but they have no reason to win any games down the stretch. With each loss, the Panthers’ draft pick improves. The Senators have earned points in 7 of their last 10 games and home games like this are a gift as they close in on a playoff spot. Games like this for the Senators are must-wins if they’re going to have postseason hockey for the second time in the last nine years. I’ll side with the Senators and lay the PL to shave down the price.