Panthers vs. Bruins Odds
| Panthers Odds | -120 |
| Bruins Odds | +100 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-130 / +105) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have an Atlantic Division tilt, as the first-place Florida Panthers travel to Boston to take on the fourth-place Bruins.
This is the third meeting between these two teams this season, as the home squad has won each of the first two matchups.
Will Boston keep this trend going on home ice, or can the Panthers grab the win as a short road favorite?
Panthers Have Nothing to Play For
The Florida Panthers enter this contest following Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sunday's loss snapped a 13-game win streak for the Panthers, who have now clinched the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
With that spot clinched, the Panthers have nothing to play for in their last three games of the season, and we could see their stars get limited minutes the rest of the way.
With that in mind, I believe oddsmakers have made them such a short favorite in this matchup with the assumption that the Panthers will coast for their remaining three games.
The public will be all over Florida at such a short price, which makes fading it in this contest even more desirable.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the projected starting goaltender for the Panthers, and he has seen a large decrease in production when playing away from home.
On the road this season, Bobrovsky's save percentage dips to 0.902. The second half of the season has not been nearly as solid for Bobrovsky, as he possesses a mere 0.899 save percentage since the All-Star break.
Bruins Playing Strong Hockey at Home
Following Sunday's 5-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins enter this matchup amidst a two-game win streak. Boston has been in good form recently, as it has won four of its last five games. It will look to keep it going on home ice.
Over their last 11 games at TD Garden, the Bruins are 8-3. I expect this home dominance to continue in this matchup, especially with Boston priced as an underdog.
Boston will have more to play for in this contest than Florida, as the Panthers' playoff spot is locked in. Meanwhile, Boston is three points behind Tampa Bay for the third seed in the Atlantic Division, and are just three points ahead of Washington in the first wild card spot.
Linus Ullmark is the projected starting goaltender for the Bruins, and he has been playing great between the pipes recently. Ullmark has now allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last six starts, boasting an outstanding 0.946 save percentage over that stretch.
Ullmark has been great since the All-Star break, as he has posted a 0.917 save percentage over 20 appearances in the crease. In his two games against Florida this season, Ullmark has stopped 56-of-61 shots for a 0.918 save percentage.
Additionally, Boston possesses the best blue line in the league and should be able to limit Florida's scoring opportunities. This season, the Bruins rank first in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).
Panthers vs. Bruins Pick
As a home underdog with more on the line in this game, I like the Bruins to get the job done against the powerhouse Panthers. I would not be shocked at all if we get around 75% effort from Florida, which would be more than enough of a decrease to give Boston a big edge in this contest.
Add to the fact that Ullmark has been excellent between the pipes — plus Boston's defense is a tough matchup for an offensive-orientated Florida lineup — and we are getting great value on the Bruins.
The public should be all over Florida in this game, which makes me like the Boston angle even more.
Pick: Boston Bruins ML (+115) | Play down to (+100)
