The Columbus Blue Jackets, spearheaded by Gustav Nyquist and Pierre-Luc Dubois, are ready to take the ice against Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center for an Eastern Conference showdown. Fox SportsNet Florida will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 7.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Florida Panthers Odds
Florida enters the game as the obvious favorite with a moneyline of -170. The line for the Blue Jackets now stands at +150, and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -125 for the over and +105 for the under.
Losing 2.6 units for moneyline gamblers, Florida is 13-14 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Atlantic Division so far in the early season, is fairly close to what the team produced during the 2018-19 season (36-46). Through 27 regular season contests, 18 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 7-6 SU at home.
The Panthers have converted on 22.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 85.1 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.4 saves per game with a .884 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (10-11-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Panthers this year. If Florida chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Joel Quenneville might turn to Sam Montembeault (3-4-4 record, .889 save percentage, 3.31 goals against average).
Over on the other bench, Columbus is 11-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 16 of its matches have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Blue Jackets are 3-8 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blue Jackets have converted on 19.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Joonas Korpisalo (2.85 goals against average and .900 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Korpisalo is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has 11 wins, 11 losses, and one overtime loss to his credit.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Panthers (3-3 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. The Blue Jackets fell short in its only shootout this season.
- The under has hit in three of Columbus’ last five outings.
- Two clubs that have pounded opponents’ goalies with shots, Columbus has attempted the league’s seventh-most shots on goal (33.7) while Florida has attempted the fourth-most (34.2).
- Columbus skaters created 23.0 hits per game last season, while the Panthers forced 23.2 hits per matchup.
