February 18th, 2023 NHL Betting Preview: Panthers vs Predators Odds and Picks

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The Florida Panthers continue on the road and will visit the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon at the Bridgestone Arena. The last time these teams faced each other was last season in nashville where the Panthers took the win 4-1. Anton Lundell scored the winning goal in the second period. Jonathan Huberdeau and Gustav Forsling scored empty-net goals 17 seconds apart, Carter Verhaeghe also had a goal and Forsling had an assist as Florida split the season series with Nashville.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are in the midst of a challenging stretch, having lost three of their last four games. The team's recent 2-1 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers was a bright spot, but it was quickly overshadowed by a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes and a crushing 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins. With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Predators are facing a daunting challenge to secure a spot in the postseason, currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference.

To overcome their recent struggles, the Predators will need to rely on their star players to lead the way. One of the most important players on the team is Roman Josi, the talented defenseman who has taken the team lead in points with 44 on the season. In his last seven games, Josi has recorded eight points and boasts a plus-three rating. His impressive performance on both ends of the ice has been a key factor in the team's success this season.

Another standout performer for the Predators is Matt Duchene, the veteran center who has been producing consistently in recent games. Duchene has tallied six points in his last six games, bringing his season total to 16 goals and 42 assists. His experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through its current struggles.

However, despite the strong performances of Josi and Duchene, the Predators have struggled to score consistently, ranking 26th in the league with an average of just 2.7 goals per game. This lack of scoring has put pressure on the team's defense and goaltending, which has also been inconsistent in recent games.

In net, the Predators will likely turn to Juuse Saros, the veteran netminder who has been a key presence between the pipes all season. Despite often facing a barrage of shots, Saros has the ability to steal games for the team. He boasts a strong .917 save percentage and a 20-15-5 record, despite conceding an average of three goals per game, which places the team at 13th in the league in that category.

As the Predators gear up for their upcoming games, the team must find a way to come together and overcome their recent struggles. With the playoffs on the line, every game counts, and the team must step up and perform at its best to secure a spot in the postseason. Ryan Johansen, the team's 30-year-old center who has struggled to produce in recent games, will need to find his scoring touch once again to help lift the team.

The Predators' recent struggles have highlighted the challenges that the team faces as it competes in a highly competitive Western Conference. However, the team's talented roster and experienced leadership give fans reasons to be optimistic about the team's chances of making a run for the playoffs. With key games ahead, the Predators must find a way to come together and play at their best to secure a spot in the postseason

Florida Panthers

As the sun sets on their latest road trip, the Florida Panthers look to cap off their journey with a bang. They've endured a mixed bag of results so far - an electrifying overtime victory over the Wild, a crushing 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Blues, and a resounding 6-3 triumph over the Capitals. But they're not just any team. This is the same squad that dominated the NHL last year with the best record in the league. And despite a shaky start to the current campaign, they're finding their groove as the season enters its final stretch.

With a 5-4-1 record in their last ten games, the Panthers are determined to secure their place in the postseason. As it stands, they're sitting pretty in the last Wildcard spot, but they know that one slip-up could spell disaster. The pressure is on, and they need their star players to step up and deliver.

Enter Mathew Tkachuk, the 25-year-old winger who's been on fire lately. He's racked up four points in his last five games and shows no signs of slowing down. Although he was held off the scoresheet in their last outing, Tkachuk has been a force to be reckoned with all season long. With a total of 27 goals and 48 assists, he's one of the Panthers' most lethal weapons.

But Tkachuk isn't the only one making waves. Carter Verhaeghe, the 27-year-old center, has been lighting up the ice as well. In just six games this month, he's already notched eight points - a testament to his impressive skillset. Verhaeghe is having the best year of his young career, tallying 29 goals and 22 assists so far.

On the other hand, Aleksander Barkov has been relatively quiet in recent games. The 27-year-old center has only managed to earn two points this month, which is unusual for him. However, he's battled through injuries this season and still boasts an impressive 49 points in 47 games. If he can shake off the rust and find his form, Barkov could be the x-factor that propels the Panthers to greatness.

Of course, it's not just the offense that's crucial for the Panthers' success. They also rely heavily on their netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky. The veteran goalie has been a bit inconsistent this season, but he's been on an upswing lately. With a 3.05 GAA and a .905 save %, Bobrovsky has recorded a 16-14-2 record. He'll need to be at his best if the Panthers hope to make a deep playoff run.

In terms of statistics, the Panthers are a force to be reckoned with. They're scoring an average of 3.4 goals per game, which puts them in seventh place in the league. However, they're also allowing an average of 3.4 goals against per game, which places them at 24th. If they can tighten up their defense, the Panthers could become an unstoppable force.

The Panthers are a team to watch out for. With a blend of youth and experience, skill and tenacity, they have the potential to make waves in the playoffs. As they wrap up their latest road trip, they know that the stakes are high. But with players like Tkachuk, Verhaeghe, Barkov, and Bobrovsky leading the way, they're more than ready to rise to the occasion.

BETTING TRENDS

Florida are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.

Florida are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against Nashville.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games on the road.

Florida are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Nashville.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games against Florida.

Nashville are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Florida.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 9 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.

Prediction

The Predators have been struggling lately, losing three out of their last four games, with their offense faltering and averaging a mere 1.25 goals per game in that stretch. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are looking strong, having won two of their last three games on the road, including an impressive performance against the Washington Capitals, where they scored six goals.

With a 6-1 record in their last seven road games against the Predators, the Panthers have a history of success when playing in Nashville, and their recent form suggests that they could continue that trend tonight. The Preds' offensive woes make it challenging for them to keep up with the high-flying Panthers, who have been firing on all cylinders lately.

But make no mistake - this is a crucial game for both teams. The Predators need to snap out of their slump and get back on track if they hope to make a push for the playoffs. On the other hand, the Panthers will be looking to keep their momentum going and secure a valuable road win against a conference rival.

In the end, the outcome of this game will come down to which team can execute their game plan better. While the Predators have the home-ice advantage, the Panthers have shown that they can thrive on the road, and with their recent form, they have a clear edge going into this matchup. So, if you're looking to place a bet tonight, take the Panthers to win and keep their winning streak alive.

PICK: Panthers ML (-125)

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