Florida Panthers (39-16-4) vs Montreal Canadiens (23-28-8)
February 29, 2024 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida Panthers -300 / Montreal Canadiens +250 — Over/Under: 6.5
The Montreal Canadiens will play the Florida Panthers on Thursday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Montreal has lost five of their last six games, while Florida has won eight of their last nine. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Canadiens vs Panthers prediction.
Canadiens Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 23-28-8 this year after they defeated the Coyotes by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Montreal had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they were able to score two goals in the third in the win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 38-21 and went 3-3 on the penalty kill in the game. Montreal had lost their previous five games against the Devis, Penguins, Sabres, Capitals, and Rangers. The Canadiens are scoring 2.76 goals per game and they are allowing 3.51 goals against per game, while going 19.4% on the power play and 73.8% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 23 goals, 33 assists, and 138 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 13-10-4 this year with a 3.16 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.
Panthers Preview
The Florida Panthers are 39-16-4 this season after they defeated the Sabres by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Florida trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the next three goals for the win. The Panthers out shot Buffalo by a total of 37-30 and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Florida has won eight of their last nine games, with the lone loss coming against Carolina on the road by a score of 1-0. The Panthers are scoring 3.27 goals per game and they are allowing 2.39 goals against per game, while going 26% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 39 goals, 29 assists, and 157 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 29-11-2 this year with a 2.35 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.
Florida Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have won each of their last eight games against the Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the last six games between the Canadiens and Panthers.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 13 of the Panthers’ last 14 games as favorites against the Canadiens.
- The Panthers have won the first period in each of their last five games at Amerant Bank Arena following a win.
Montreal Canadiens Team Facts
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last seven night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 17 of the Canadiens’ last 18 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games against opponents on a winning streak.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Carter Verhaeghe has scored at least one goal in each of the Panthers’ last three games against the Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Carter Verhaeghe has recorded at least one point in each of the Panthers’ last eight games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in 12 of his last 13 appearances with the Panthers as favorites.
- Sam Reinhart ranks T1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (9) this season.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Mike Matheson has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight appearances against former teams.
- Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in six of his last eight appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Nick Suzuki ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference for shootout goals (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers rank 6th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.47%).
- The Florida Panthers rank 1st in the league for shots per game this season (34.2).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.51).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 32nd in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (9).
Canadiens vs Panthers Betting Prediction
Florida comes into this matchup tied for first in the Atlantic Division standings and they have won eight of their last nine games. The Panthers have been one of the best teams in the NHL so far this season and they are 19-8-2 at home. Montreal is only 11-12-5 on the road this year and they are almost last in the division, but they are coming off of a win in their last game. The Canadiens have had some trouble scoring this season and will be facing one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. These two teams have played twice already and Montreal has only scored a total of two goals. Take the under here.