Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and the Florida Panthers will do battle against David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in a divisional showdown. The first puck will drop at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 30, and you’ll be able to witness the game live on New England Sports Network.
Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston is 47-30 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, the league’s second-strongest so far in this young season, hasn’t moved much from what the team produced during the 2017-18 season (50-32). Of the team’s 77 regular season contests, 41 have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just four have pushed. Thus far, the team is 29-10 SU at home.
The Bruins currently tout the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have found the net on 27.1 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.9 saves per game with a .915 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (26 wins, 17 losses, and five OT losses) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Bruins this season. If head coach Bruce Cassidy chooses to give him a rest, however, the team may go with Jaroslav Halak (21-17-17 record, .923 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
Florida has lost 16.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 34-44 straight up (SU). Through 78 regular season outings, 45 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under the total and just seven have pushed. The Panthers are 15-25 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Panthers currently tout the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 27.2 percent of their extra-man advantages in the 2018-19 season. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties.
Roberto Luongo (3.16 goals against average and .898 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Luongo is averaging 25.1 saves per game and owns a 17-23-5 record.
Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Bruins are 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Panthers are 3-6 in shootouts.
- This game features two clubs that shoot the puck early and often. Florida has registered the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (33.0) while Boston has attempted the 10th-most (32.7).
- Six of Boston’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 4-2 overall in those games.
- The Bruins this season have tallied the 12th-most hits per game in the NHL (23.2).
