The league-leading Boston Bruins will look to extend their winning ways when they hit the road to take on a desperate Florida Panthers team that is struggling in its quest to reach the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs on Thursday night. With these two conference rivals heading in polar opposite directions, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NHL Odds for the Bruins vs Panthers.
Bruins vs Panthers 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: BB&T Center
- TV: Sportsnet, NESN, FS-Florida
- NHL Odds: Florida +125/Boston -145 / Total: 5.5
Back in action tonight! 🏒#BOSvsFLA 📍: @thebbtcenter ⏰: 7:00 p.m. ET 📺: @FoxSportsFL 🎧: @560WQAM 🎟: https://t.co/yamzizA3BO pic.twitter.com/2UhFHqBANg
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 5, 2020
Why Bet On Boston at -145
The Bruins have won three straight and 14 of their last 17 games overall including a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Brad Marchand opened the scoring for the Bruins with a goal late in the first period and Jake DeBrusk would add the game-winner in the second period. Tuukka Rask turned back 20 of 21 shots to get the win and improve to 25-7-6 on the year. DeBrusk snapped a 10-game goal drought with his 19th in the win over Tampa Bay.
“Anytime it goes in the net, it’s a good feeling,” said DeBrusk who ended the dry spell in his 200th career game. “I haven’t seen that in a while.”
The win may have helped Boston lock down the Atlantic division title over the second-place Lightning.
“For us to go up nine points, especially before Saturday’s game when we play (Tampa Bay) again, it’s definitely an important two points to collect,” defenseman Torey Krug said after the win.
Offense:- Goals For: 3.3
- Shots For: 32.1
- Power Plays: 25.1
- Face-Offs: 51.2
- Goals Against: 2.4
- Shots Against: 30.0
- Penalty Kills: 84.0
- Shutouts: 1
Boston Bruins NHL Betting Trends
- Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Bruins are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Atlantic.
- Bruins are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road favorite.
- Bruins are 18-6 in their last 24 overall.
Why Bet On Florida at +125
The Panthers have lost three straight and five of their last six games overall including a 3-0 shutout loss against Calgary on Sunday. Florida outshot the Flames 38-28 but couldn’t find the back of the net in the win while getting held to a pair of goals or less for the fifth time in their last 10 games. Now, Florida is completely desperate as they sit five points out of the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
“Obviously disappointed, we’ve put ourselves in a really tough spot,” coach Joel Quenneville said after Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to Calgary. “Let’s find a way to bring some excitement in our team game and get the building going in our favor.”
Offense:- Goals For: 3.4
- Shots For: 32.6
- Power Plays: 21.9
- Face-Offs: 50.2
- Goals Against: 3.3
- Shots Against: 32.5
- Penalty Kills: 78.4
- Shutouts: 2
Florida Panthers NHL Betting Trends
- Panthers are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Panthers are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
- Panthers are 2-6 in their last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Panthers are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
Bruins vs Panthers Expert Analysis and Prediction
The Florida Panthers might be desperate and they might be playing at home, but I don’t see any way they get the upset over a Boston bruins team that is clearly superior to them and has a lot to play for as they look to lock down the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, if not the entire postseason. The Bruins are 35-16 in the last 51 meetings and the road team in this rivalry is a perfect 4-0 in the last 4 meetings while the Favorite has gone an insane 31-15 in the last 46 meetings. With the Bruins going 5-1 in their last 6 road games and the Panthers going 0-7 in their last 7 home games, I say this matchup is as close as it gets to a lock!
Pick: Boston 4 Florida 1
