In their third and final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers clash at the BB&T Center. Fox SportsNet Florida will broadcast this Eastern Conference matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Columbus is 23-17 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.5 units this year. 21 of its matches have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just three have pushed. This 2018-19 Blue Jackets team is 12-7 SU on the road.
Columbus has converted on just 13.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of its penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its last five contests total, and 3.4 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .908 save percentage and 26.1 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (17-13-1) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this year. Bobrovsky played last night, however, so the team may opt to rest him and turn to Joonas Korpisalo instead (6-8-2 record, .888 save percentage, 3.34 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Blue Jackets. Panarin has 44 points via 13 goals and 31 assists, and has recorded multiple points 13 times. Atkinson has 24 goals and 18 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 26 games).
On the other side of the rink, Florida is 17-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 22 of its outings have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 8-10 SU as the home team.
Florida comes into the matchup with the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has converted on 28.0 percent of its extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida players have been called for penalties only 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five games. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer has denied 22.6 shots per game as the top selection in the crease for Florida. Reimer has nine wins, 13 losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has recorded a subpar .896 save percentage and 3.17 goals against average this year.
Jonathan Huberdeau (10 goals, 35 assists) will pace the attack for the Panthers.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Florida Panthers Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Florida (2-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Columbus fell short in its lone shootout this season.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in four of their last five matchups.
- Columbus has managed 24.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 32.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Columbus skaters notched 21.8 hits per game last season, while the Panthers accounted for 20.2 hits per contest.
