Florida Panthers at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions
The Florida Panthers (38-31-7) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (23-43-8) Saturday. Puck drop from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Panthers vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Florida won 5-2 on the road vs. the Montreal Canadiens as -200 favorites Thursday. LW Matthew Tkachuk paved the way for the win with 3 goals and 1 assist. The other 2 goals for the Panthers came from C Anton Lundell. Florida has now won back-to-back games after losing 4 straight.
Columbus lost 2-1 in OT as +340 road underdogs vs. the Boston Bruins on Thursday. That loss marked the 3rd in a row for Columbus, who now sits in last in the Metropolitan Division.
The season series is tied 1-1 heading into this final regular-season matchup. Columbus won a 5-3 battle at home with Florida winning 4-0 in the 2nd meeting.
Panthers at Blue Jackets odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:27 p.m. ET.
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Panthers at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (7-18-2, 4.23 GAA, .876 SV%)
In Bobrovsky’s 12 career games vs. Columbus he has a 9-2-1 record with a 2.49 GAA and .924 SV%. In road games this season he is 10-11-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .892 SV%.
In Merzlikins’ 10 career outings vs. Florida he has struggled, with a 3-6-1 record, 3.58 GAA, and .893 SV%. In home games this season Merzlikins is 4-8-0 with a 4.34 GAA and .873 SV%.
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Panthers at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Panthers 5, Blue Jackets 3
AVOID.
The Panthers (-210) should be able to come away with the win in this game as they are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings. The line here is slightly too rich for my blood and the risk is worth the reward.
LEAN PANTHERS -1.5 (+110).
Only 1 of the last 10 meetings between these teams was within 1.5 goals. The Panthers have dominated the Blue Jackets in those meetings, winning 8 of the last 10. Bet on the Panthers winning by a very decent margin.
BET OVER 6.5 (-145).
The Over is both 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus and 6-1 in the last 7 meetings overall. For the Blue Jackets the Over is 6-1 in their last 7 overall and 4-1 in their last 5 vs. the Atlantic Division. For the Panthers the Over is 3-0-1 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
