Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens opened their current three-game road trip on Tuesday with a 6-4 win in Pittsburgh, snapping a seven-game slide that featured three straight road losses. The Panthers have been idle since seeing a three-game surge end with Saturday’s narrow 5-4 loss to the visiting Winnipeg Jets, and now sit five points back of the New York Islanders in the race for the second and final wild card in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens have faded slightly to +286 underdogs since opening as a +278 bet while the Panthers have shortened to strong -349 home favourites. The total has held steady since opening at 7.0, with the UNDER emerging as a -125 wager.
Canadiens vs. Panthers NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at FLA Live Arena marks the third of four regular season clashes between these Atlantic Division rivals. The Panthers claimed victory in each of their dates with Montreal earlier this season, outscoring the Habs by a wide 13-4 overall margin, and has now earned the win in 11 of 16 head-to-head clashes including six straight on home ice. Recent matchups between these teams have tended to be high scoring, with the total reaching 7.0 or higher 11 times during a 10-2-1 run for the OVER.
Montreal Canadiens
After averaging just 2.57 goals per game during their recent seven-game slide, the Canadiens rediscovered their offensive touch in Tuesday’s 6-4 victory over the Penguins. But with the club playing their third game in four nights, the question remains whether they can maintain that offensive momentum against a well-rested Panthers squad that is playing stingy defence and is desperate for points. The Habs have produced streaky results away from Bell Centre, losing three straight prior to Tuesday’s victory after closing out February with three straight road victories. Jonathan Drouin contributed a pair of helpers on Tuesday and has now tallied seven points in his past seven games. However, Drouin’s struggles to find the back of the net have continued, with the 27-year-old potting just one goal in 45 games this season. Recent addition Denis Gurianov has found his groove sine joining the team prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. Gurianov scored for the third time in as many games on Tuesday, and now enjoys a four-game points streak.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers have watched divisional and conference rivals pull away from the standings during their five-day layoff, and find themselves in a must-win situation to make the playoffs with 15 games remaining on the schedule. The club deserved a better fate in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss in which they outscored Winnipeg by a 48-27 margin. That marked the second time in as many outings that they have spotted an opponent a multi-goal lead in the first period. This club has otherwise been effective art containing opposing shooters, limiting opponents to two or fewer goals in each of their four previous outings, and to just 2.50 goals per game over their past 10 home dates. Up front Matthew Tkachuk has led a Panthers attack that has scored four or more goals six times over their past 10 outings. Tkachuk scored twice in Saturday’s loss and has recorded three points in each of his past two outings, and has turned in multi-point performances in eight of his past 12 home appearances.
