The Boston Bruins will play the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Boston has won two of their last three games, while Florida has won seven of their last eight.
Bruins Preview
The Boston Bruins are 13-1-3 this season after they lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 5-4 in overtime in their last game. Boston took a 4-3 lead late in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with five seconds left and lost in overtime. The Bruins were out shot by a total of 47-27 and went 5-6 on the penalty kill in the game. Boston has been one of the best teams in the NHL this season and they have won seven of their last ten games. Boston is scoring 3.47 goals per game and they are allowing 2.18 goals against per game, while going 22.8% on the power play and 90.8% on the penalty kill. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 12 goals, 17 assists, and 83 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Linus Ullmark, who is 6-1-1 this season with a 2.23 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.
Panthers Preview
The Florida Panthers are 12-5-1 this year after they defeated Edmonton by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Florida trailed 2-0 early in the first period, but they scored five of the next six goals for the win. The Panthers out shot Edmonton by a total of 33-29 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Florida’s only loss in their last eight games came against the Kings by a score of 2-1. The Florida Panthers are scoring 3.17 goals per game and they are allowing 2.72 goals against per game, while going 16.7% on the power play and 75.4% on the penalty kill. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 13 goals, 12 assists, and 51 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 9-4-1 this year with a 2.66 goals against average and a .906 save percentage.
Florida Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have won each of their last six home games.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have won the third period in each of their last six night games following a win.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in seven of the Panthers' last eight night games.
Boston Bruins Team Facts
- The Bruins have lost four of their last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Bruins have won the first period in five of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Bruins' last six games at Amerant Bank Arena.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Carter Verhaeghe has scored a goal in each of the Panthers' last four games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one point in each of the Panthers' last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Aleksander Barkov has recorded an assist in each of the Panthers' last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Sam Reinhart has scored the last goal in each of the Panthers' last four games against Atlantic Division opponents at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Eetu Luostarinen has recorded two blocks against the Bruins this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- David Pastrnak has scored at least one goal in four of the Bruins' last five games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Pavel Zacha has recorded at least one point in each of the Bruins' last 10 games as favorites.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of the Bruins' last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- David Pastrnak ranks T2nd in the league for Points (29) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers ranks 29th in the league in penalty minutes this season (144).
- The Florida Panthers ranks 5th in the league for shots per game this season (33.7).
- The Boston Bruins ranks T1st in the league for power play goals against this season (6).
- The Boston Bruins ranks 1st in the league in save percentage this season (.931).
Bruins vs Panthers Prediction Breakdown
We have the two top teams in the Atlantic Division going head to head in this matchup, but Florida will have home ice, where they are 7-1 this season. The Panthers are playing very well right now and their defense has allowed three goals or fewer in seven straight games. Boston is 6-1-2 on the road and only has one regulation loss so far this year. The Bruins are only allowing 2.18 goals against per game this year and they are 90.8% on the penalty kill. This is going to be a great game, but I am going to go with Florida at home in this matchup.
AUTHOR: David Racey
