Panthers vs Predators NHL Prediction, Pick and Preview, 03/02/23

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The NHL regular season continues to heat up as the Nashville Predators visit the Florida Panthers on March 2nd, 2023, for their second game of the regular season series. These two teams first met on February 18th, where the Predators claimed a convincing 7-3 victory over the Panthers. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, and it will be interesting to see how they stack up against each other this time around. This article will provide an extended preview of both teams, including their recent form, injury report, scoring leaders, and team stats. Furthermore, we will make a final prediction.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are in the midst of a challenging stretch, having won 4 of their last 7 games. They looked good in their last 3 games scoring at least 5 goals per game before they fell against the Penguins in the last game. 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

The Florida have had a challenging season so far, with a record of 30-26-6. They have struggled defensively, giving up an average of 3.4 goals per game. However, they have a talented group of forwards, including Evgeni Malkin, who has scored 17 goals this season. The Florida will need to tighten up their defense if they want to make a push for the playoffs.

In their last game against the Tampa Bay Lightining, the Florida looked great offensively, scoring 4 goals on 36 shots. They will try to keep the momentum on offense to win against the Islanders. Defensively, the Florida will need to play better, as they have given up 3 or more goals per game.

The Florida' goaltender, Dustin Tokarski, saved 38 of the 42 shots that he faced in his last game. However, Tristan Jarry (Upper Body), Mark Friedman (Upper Body), and Ryan Poehling (Upper Body) are questionable for this game, which could impact the team's performance.

In their last 10 games, the Florida have recorded a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, which is below their usual high standards.

Offensively, the Florida have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, averaging just 2.8 goals per game. This is significantly lower than their usual production, and it is clear that they are missing some key players or are experiencing a rough patch. The Florida have also struggled in the assist department, averaging only five per game, which indicates a lack of creativity and teamwork on the offensive end.

Penalties have also been an issue for the Florida, averaging four per game and racking up 10.9 penalty minutes. This is concerning because it puts them at a disadvantage and can potentially cost them games in critical situations.

Defensively, the Florida have been giving up an average of 3.7 goals per game, which is a significant concern. It is difficult to win games when you are constantly playing catch-up and relying on your offense to outscore your opponents.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games.

Nashville are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games on the road.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nashville's last 9 games when playing on the road against Florida.

The total has gone OVER in 12 of Florida's last 17 games.

Florida are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games at home.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 9 games when playing at home against Nashville.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games against an opponent in the Central Division division.

Prediction

The Predators have been averaging 2.86 goals per game, while the Panthers have been averaging 3.42 goals per game. The Panthers also have a better power play percentage than the Predators, which could lead to some additional scoring opportunities.

Furthermore, both teams have struggled defensively this season, with the Predators allowing 2.90 goals per game and the Panthers allowing 3.44 goals per game. The Predators have allowed 38 power-play goals against this season, while the Panthers have allowed 58 power-play goals against. This suggests that both teams may give up some scoring opportunities to the other team.

Finally, both teams have some key players who are capable of producing on offense. The Predators will be without Forsberg, but they still have Josi, Johansen, and Duchene, who can all contribute on the score sheet. The Panthers have a strong offensive lineup with Tkachuk, Verhaeghe, and Huberdeau leading the way.

Overall, we predict that this game will be a high-scoring affair, with both teams having multiple opportunities to score. We also predict that the over will cash, given the high-scoring nature of both teams and their struggles defensively.

PICK: Over 6.5 (-110)

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