The Florida Panthers, spearheaded by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, are set to take the ice against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will air the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5.
Florida Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-205) are being labeled as the favorites over the Panthers (+175), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-140 for the over, +120 for the under).
Pittsburgh is 34-31 straight up (SU) and has recorded -13.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (47-35). Of its 65 games this season, 32 have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just five have pushed. This season, the team is 17-14 SU at home.
The Penguins have been able to convert on 25.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.1 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 29.1 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Matt Murray (20-14-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Pens this year. If the Pens decide to rest him, however, head coach Mike Sullivan may roll with Casey DeSmith (14-20-20 record, .914 save percentage, 2.86 goals against average).
Florida has lost 15.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 28-37 straight up (SU). Through 65 regular season matches, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under the total and just seven have pushed. The Panthers are 12-19 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Panthers have converted on 26.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully defended 81.5 percent of all penalties.
Roberto Luongo (24.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Florida. Luongo owns a 15-20-4 record, and has registered a .897 save percentage and 3.14 goals against average this year.
Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Three of the Panthers’ last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 3-6 overall in shootouts this season.
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five outings.
- Over Pittsburgh’s last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Florida skaters have dished out the league’s 12th-most hits per game (22.9) while the Pens have recorded the second-most (29.1).
