The Detroit Red Wings, fueled by Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha, are set to take the ice against Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center for an Atlantic Division showdown. The puck is going to drop at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, and it can be viewed live on Fox Sports Detroit Plus.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers Odds
The Panthers (-300) are favored over the Red Wings (+250) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 7 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Losing 1.4 units for moneyline gamblers, Florida is 18-18 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to the 36-46 record the team produced during the 2018-19 season campaign. Of its 36 games this season, 21 have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 11-9 SU at home this year.
The Panthers have connected on 22.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
With a .899 save percentage and 26.6 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (14 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top option in goal for Florida this season. If head coach Joel Quenneville chooses to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Sam Montembeault (3-4-4 record, .889 save percentage, 3.31 goals against average).
Detroit has lost 13.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 9-29 straight up (SU). Through 38 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under the total and just five have pushed. The Red Wings are 4-14 SU as an away team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.5 percent of all penalties.
Jonathan Bernier (25.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Bernier has seven wins, 16 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .897 save percentage and 3.24 goals against average this year.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Panthers (3-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. The Red Wings fell short in its only shootout this season.
- For both of these clubs, the game went over the total in three of their last five matchups.
- Detroit has managed 24.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 31.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Nine of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-8 in those games.
- Detroit skaters created 21.3 hits per game last season, while the Panthers logged 23.2 hits per contest.
