Two teams currently on losing streaks, the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils clash at the Prudential Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11, and it’ll be televised live on MSG Network.
Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils Odds
New Jersey (+120) is entering this one as the underdog to New Jersey (-140), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -110 money on the over and -110 on the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 4.7 units, New Jersey is 9-6 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL so far in this young season, is a huge turnaround from what the team did during last year’s regular season (28-54). Through 15 regular season matches, nine of its games have gone over the total, while six have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 4-4 SU at home so far this year.
The Devils have converted on 21.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.7 times per game this season, a number that’s up a bit from last year’s 4.0 penalties per game they gave up. After serving an average of 10.0 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to kill penalties for 11.3 minutes per outing this season.
With a .918 save percentage and 32.6 saves per game, Cory Schneider (7-4-1) has been the best goalkeeper for the Devils this season. If head coach John Hynes decides to give him the evening off, however, New Jersey may turn to Keith Kinkaid (3-2-2 record, .903 save percentage, 2.88 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Will Butcher will each lead the charge for the Devils. Hall (17 points) has put up five goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points in four different games this year. Butcher has 12 assists to his name and has notched a point in eight contests.
On the other bench, Florida is 4-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 14 regular season contests, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and none have pushed. The Panthers are 1-5 SU as a road team this season.
The Panthers have converted on 17.6 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 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida’s players have been penalized 4.9 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.1, which was the seventh-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.9 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 11.7 minutes per matchup this year.
James Reimer (.890 save percentage and 4.00 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 26.1 saves per game and owns a 3-6-1 record.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will be facilitated by Jonathan Huberdeau (five goals, 11 assists) and Vincent Trocheck (seven goals, nine assists).
Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- 44.4 percent of New Jersey’s wins have come by two or more goals (the team is 4-4 overall in such games) while 75.0 percent of Florida’s wins have come by two goals or more (3-6 overall in games decided by at least two goals).
- Florida has averaged 3.0 goals per game, while allowing 5.2, over its last five games (0-5 SU over that span).
- The Panthers are 1-4 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 1-5 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- New Jersey might have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 5-2 in games decided by one goal, while Florida is 1-4 in such games.
- The total has gone under in three of New Jersey’s last five games.
- New Jersey has allowed 3.2 goals per game this year, but has given up 4.3 goals per matchup over its four-game losing streak.
- New Jersey ranked 25th last year with 5.7 takeaways per game, but the team seems to be applying more intense pressure on opposing offenses to begin this season. It’s currently ranked eighth through 15 games with 8.7 takeaways per contest.
