Two of the NHL’s most-penalized teams, the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers meet at the BB&T Center in a divisional matchup. The opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, and you’ll be able to view the game live on TVA Sports.
Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Boston is 44-24 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. 35 of its outings have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the road team this season, the Bruins are 19-13 SU.
Boston has converted on 22.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
The Bruins, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 4.6 per game over its last five contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (29-16-4) has been the best option in goal for Boston this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, head coach Bruce Cassidy could go with Anton Khudobin (15-11-4 record, .918 save percentage, 2.48 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Bruins. Marchand has 72 points via 30 goals and 42 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 21 different games. Pastrnak has 27 goals and 41 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 44 games).
Over on the other bench, Florida is 34-33 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 67 regular season contests, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 21-13 SU as the home team.
The Panthers have converted on just 19.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida players have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
James Reimer (27.8 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Panthers. Reimer has 16 wins, 20 losses, and five overtime losses to his name and has recorded a poor .907 save percentage and 3.16 goals against average this season.
Aleksander Barkov (25 goals, 44 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Panthers.
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Florida is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Boston is 3-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Florida’s last five games.
- Four of Florida’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 3-1 overall in those games.
- Boston skaters have dished out the seventh-most hits in the league (23.9 per game).
