The BB&T Center will be hosting an intriguing matchup as the Boston Bruins face off against the Florida Panthers. New England Sports Network will broadcast this divisional matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 4.
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers Odds
Boston is 14-12 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 26 regular season matches, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while eight have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team in 2018-19, the Bruins are 5-9 SU.
Boston has converted on 28.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd in the league, and it has successfully killed off 77.5 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Boston has been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over its last five contests. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .936 save percentage and 28.3 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (8-7-2) has been the best option in goal for Boston this year. If it decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Tuukka Rask (6-7-2), who has a .915 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this year.
The visiting Bruins have relied on David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron heavily this season. Pastrnak has 30 points on 19 goals and 11 assists, and has recorded multiple points seven times. Bergeron has nine goals and 17 assists to his nameand has notched at least one point in 12 games.
On the other side of the rink, Florida is 10-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 25 regular season outings, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 5-7 SU at home this season.
Florida has converted on 26.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all penalties.
Florida skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer has denied 23.6 shots per game as the top selection in the crease for Florida. Reimer has six wins, 11 losses, and three OT losses and has recorded a poor .893 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Jonathan Huberdeau (six goals, 22 assists).
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Panthers, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five outings.
- Boston has managed 31.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 37.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Power plays and penalty kills may have a critical role in this one. The Bruins are 7-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-7 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Panthers are 7-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 5-11 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Florida is ranked 3rd in the NHL this season with 10.2 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as the team has averaged 11.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 14.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Boston is ranked ninth in the league with 8.8 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as the team has forced 7.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.2 takeaways over its last five.
