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The Metropolitan Division's fifth-place Columbus Blue Jackets head into Florida tonight to take on the Atlantic Division's first-place Panthers. This will be the third meeting between these two this season as the Panthers won both previous matchups 9-2 and 8-4. The odds tonight are definitely not in Columbus's favor as it’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Blue Jackets-Panthers prediction and pick.
Here are the Blue Jackets-Panthers NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Blue Jackets-Panthers Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets: +2.5 (-110) (+350 ML)
Florida Panthers: -2.5 (-110) (-450 ML)
Over: 7 (-128)
Under: 7 (+104)
Why The Blue Jackets Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Columbus Blue Jackets head into this game after an upset victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning eight of their last 10 games and now on a three-game winning streak. Over this 10 game stretch, the Jackets are averaging 4.6 goals per game with seven or more goals being scored in nine of those 10 games. Their offense has been red hot lately, but the high defense has been the opposite as they gave up 3.8 goals per game within this same 10 game stretch. In fact, their defense has been an issue all season long as they rank 22nd in the league. Starting in net tonight for Columbus will likely be Jean-Francois Berube, as he is now 2-0-0 with a .923 save percentage and allowing 2.98 goals against. He'll try his best tonight as he faces off against one of the best teams in the league.
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Why The Panthers Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Florida Panthers are looking to bounce back tonight after losing at home to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, dropping their home record to 23-4-0. The Panthers' offense has been one of the hottest in the league right now as they are averaging 4.5 goals per game in their last 10 games. In fact, Florida ranks first in the league in offense, averaging 4.12 goals per game. However, much like Columbus, their defense and goaltending haven't been nearly as strong, giving up 3.4 goals per game in that same last 10 game stretch.
Because of this, the Panthers have also been known to go have high-scoring affairs as there have been seven or more total goals in the eight of their last 10 games. We can expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky in net for the Panthers tonight as he is 26-5-3 with a .917 save percentage and allowing 2.58 goals against per game. He'll look to be the All-Star that he typically is and shut down a hot Columbus offense tonight.
Final Blue Jackets-Panthers Prediction & Pick
Typically in a game like this with these odds, I wouldn't be making a pick like this because the over is just so high, but the spread being at 2.5 doesn't help sway my decision any differently. However, both offenses have been on fire lately with both defenses being very cold, it's almost a no-brainer to take the over in this matchup where the Panthers could score seven goals on their own. In FanDuel, there are options for alternative Total Goals, and one of them is set at 6.5, which is one I will be taking tonight. I like having that mini extra confidence in the half point, especially with the total already being so high.
Final Blue Jackets-Panthers Prediction and Pick: Alternative Over 6.5 (-205)
