Canadiens vs Panthers NHL Picks and Predictions 03/30

Kingpin
Mar 30, 2023, 4:17:03 AM

Preview

The NHL regular season is winding down, but the games are getting more intense as teams fight for playoff positioning. On March 30, the Florida Panthers will travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens in what is expected to be a high-scoring game. At KingPin.pro, our NHL experts picks are calling for the over 6.5 goals to cash, and we'll explain why.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have had a solid season, currently sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 37-31-7. Despite losing two of their last three games, the Panthers have been a high-scoring team all season long, averaging 3.45 goals per game. They are led by forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has racked up an impressive 97 points this season, including 35 goals and 62 assists.

On the injury front, the Panthers will be without center Sam Bennett and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky for this game. Bobrovsky has been a bit of a disappointment this season, posting a 24-20-3 record with a 3.07 goals against average and .901 save percentage. However, rookie Spencer Knight has shown some promise in limited action, going 9-8-3 with a 3.18 goals against average and .901 save percentage.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have had a disappointing season, currently sitting in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 30-39-6. Despite their struggles, they have been playing better as of late, winning three of their last five games. They are led by forward Nick Suzuki, who has put up 61 points this season, including 23 goals and 38 assists.

In terms of injuries, the Canadiens will be without right wing Joel Armia and center Kirby Dach for this game. In goal, the Canadiens have split time between Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault. Allen has a 15-24-3 record with a 3.55 goals against average and .891 save percentage, while Montembeault has a 15-14-3 record with a 3.28 goals against average and .905 save percentage.

Why the Game Will be High Scoring and the Over 6.5 Goals Will Cash

Both the Panthers and Canadiens have struggled defensively this season, ranking in the bottom half of the league in goals against per game. On the flip side, both teams have been able to generate offense, ranking in the top half of the league in goals scored per game. Additionally, the over has hit in five of the last six games between these two teams, including all three games they have played against each other this season.

The Panthers are averaging 3.45 goals per game this season, while the Canadiens are averaging 2.83 goals per game. However, the Panthers have struggled defensively as of late, allowing 5 goals in each of their last two games. The Canadiens have also struggled defensively this season, allowing 3.65 goals per game.

With both teams struggling defensively and the over hitting in their recent matchups, our NHL experts picks are calling for the over 6.5 goals to cash in this game. The Panthers have the firepower to score plenty of goals, and the Canadiens have been playing better offensively as of late. Look for this game to be a high-scoring affair with plenty of action at both ends of the ice.

It's also worth noting that the Panthers have been hot on the power play, converting on over 22% of their opportunities. This could be a key factor in this game, as the Canadiens have struggled on the penalty kill, allowing opponents to convert on nearly 75% of their power play chances. If the Panthers can capitalize on their power play opportunities, it could be a long night for the Canadiens.

On the defensive end, both teams have had their struggles this season. The Panthers have allowed an average of 3.45 goals per game, while the Canadiens have allowed 3.65 goals per game. Neither team has a standout goaltender, and injuries have plagued both teams throughout the season. With neither team having a clear advantage in goal, it's likely that both teams will give up their fair share of goals in this matchup.

In terms of recent form, the Panthers have lost their last four games, including a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in their most recent matchup. The Canadiens have been slightly better, winning two of their last five games. However, they are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in their most recent game.

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams having their fair share of offensive weapons. While the Panthers are the clear favorites to win this matchup, the Canadiens have been playing better as of late and could give the Panthers a run for their money. Ultimately, our NHL experts picks are predicting a high-scoring game with the over 6.5 goals hitting.