Panthers vs Blackhawks Prediction
The Florida Panthers will play the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Florida has won three of their last four games, while Chicago has lost six of their last eight games.
Panthers Preview
The Florida Panthers are 5-3-1 this season after they defeated the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 2-0 in their last game. Florida scored once in the second period and added an empty net goal in the third for the win. The Panthers out shot Detroit by a total of 27-22 and went 5-5 on the penalty kill in the game. Florida lost to Boston in the game before Detroit, but did defeat Seattle and San Jose in the two games prior to that. The Florida Panthers are scoring 2.67 goals per game and they are allowing 2.56 goals against per game, while going 12.1% on the power play and 72.7% on the penalty kill. Sam Reinhart has led the Panthers with eight goals, three assists, and 33 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 4-3-1 this year with a 2.51 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
Blackhawks Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 3-6-0 this year after they lost to the Arizona Coyotes by a score of 8-1 in their last game. Chicago led 1-0 early in the first period, but they allowed the next eight goals for the blowout loss. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 33-30 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Chicago has only defeated Vegas and Toronto in their last eight games. The Chicago Blackhawks are scoring 2.11 goals per game and they are allowing 3.56 goals against per game, while going 9.1% on the power play and 86.7% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led the Blackhawks with four goals, two assists, and 28 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 2-3-0 this season with a 2.96 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last eight night games at United Center.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in seven of the Blackhawks' last eight games at United Center.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in four of the Blackhawks' last five games.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in each of their last four night games.
Florida Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have won each of their last eight games following a road win.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven night games against Central Division opponents.
- The Panthers have lost the first period in each of their last five night games against Central Division opponents.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in 17 of the Panthers' last 18 Saturday games.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Connor Bedard has scored a goal in three of the Blackhawks' last four games as underdogs.
- Taylor Hall has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three appearances at United Center.
- Corey Perry has recorded at least one point in six of his last seven appearances with his team as an underdog against the Panthers.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Reinhart has scored a goal in three of the Panthers' last four games against Central Division opponents.
- Brandon Montour has recorded at least one point in each of his last five appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Carter Verhaeghe has recorded an assist in each of the Panthers' last four games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
- Sam Reinhart has the most multi-goal games for the Panthers this season (2).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.56).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 8th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (86.67%).
- The Florida Panthers ranks 26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.73%).
- The Florida Panthers ranks T25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.67).
Pick
Chicago comes into this matchup really struggling and they have lost six of their last eight games, with five of those six losses coming by at least two goals. Florida has won three of their last four games and they have played very good defense in that span, allowing a total of six goals in four games. I haven’t seen much to like about this Chicago team in their last eight games and they are 0-2-0 at home this year. I think Florida will continue their strong play and I like them to win by at least two goals.
