Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Florida Panthers Prediction, NHL Odds

Liam Gilks | Updated Jan 03, 2025

NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers

Share this article

The Florida Panthers will play the second half of back-to-back games Friday night when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins, with a chance to jump back into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Pittsburgh
28-32-5-5
AT
January 03, 2025, 7:00 PM ET
BB&T Center
Florida
41-23-3
Puckline +1.5 -165
Moneyline +155
Over / Under o +6
Matchup Odds
Puckline -1.5 +140
Moneyline -190
Over / Under u +6
Matchup Odds

Florida has been on a bit of a slide recently, losing three of the past four games, while the Pens are trying to get on the right side of .500. Pittsburgh looks to climb into the playoff picture in a neck-and-neck race for the final wild card spot, with just five points separating eight teams.

The NHL odds have Florida as a -210 favourite to win at home, with the total set at 6.0 goals. Puck drop from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Penguins vs. Panthers NHL Betting Odds

The Panthers will be looking for revenge on Friday, facing the Penguins who beat them 5-4 in overtime just a month ago. The Pens went into the third up 4-1, but Florida rallied back to tie things at four sending it to extra time. Bryan Rust potted the game-winner, upsetting the Panthers after getting outshot 41-16.

Both of their past two matchups have played the OVER and with the line sitting at 6.0 goals even, 83 per cent of bettors are smashing the OVER at +100.

The Penguins have allowed more goals than any team this year, sitting at 3.67 goals against per game, helping them to a 22-16-1 record on the OVER/UNDER. With a goalie tandem that is both rocking a sub .890 save percentage, it’s a miracle this team is even close to a playoff position.

Florida’s goaltending has been just as suspect this season, but the defending Stanley Cup champs have found a way to turn that into a 23-14-2 record. They have an almost identical record on the OVER/UNDER as the Penguins, sitting at 21-16-1. Their offence has been a bright spot this season scoring 3.33 per game, good for seventh in the league.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby and company will need more consistency in 2025 to get the team back to the playoffs. They ended off 2024 splitting their last six games, putting them a point out of a wild card spot.

They most recently lost 4-2 in Detroit on New Year’s Eve in the season series finale. Drew O’Connor was the lone goal scorer for the Penguins, notching his first career multi-goal game. Alex Nedeljkovic got the start in back-to-back games and after losing on Tuesday expect Tristan Jarry to take over again Friday. Jarry has been seeing the most usage since his return from an AHL stint.

Captain Crosby is doing his best to carry the team on his back with 41 points through 39 games. He had over 90 points in back-to-back seasons, but he is off that pace so far this season.

Florida Panthers

Florida’s luck could be running out lately, as their strategy of outscoring their problems seems to be creeping up on them. They have lost three of the past four contests and what was once a healthy lead in the Atlantic has slipped away.

They will be back in action Friday after dropping their game Thursday night, 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Tough start to the game for the Cats as the Canes scored just 35 seconds into the first. Anton Lundell knotted it at one early in the second, scoring the lone goal for the team. Carolina scored again in the third before adding an empty netter for a 3-1 final.

Sergei Bobrovsky had one of his better games of the season, stopping 37 of 39 shots. A bit of goal support would have helped get the Russian back in the win column.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Penguins vs. Panthers?

NHL Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • PIT
  • +155 -190
  • FLA
Matchup NHL Odds