Free NHL Picks Today: Florida Panthers vs Colorado Avalanche 2/11/23

The Florida Panthers (26-22-6) will be out to build on their winning streak when they play host to the Colorado Avalanche (27-19-4) at FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Colorado is coming off a 5-0 loss against the Lightning on Thursday.

The Avalanche committed six penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Alexandar Georgiev only had 27 saves on 32 shots against (.843%) in the loss.

Florida is playing their last of five games at home after a 4-1 win over the Sharks on Thursday, their third win in a row. Eric Staal and Sam Reinhart both scored twice for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky was impressive in the win, making 33 saves (.970%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Panthers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-4 victory in January. Four players had two points for Florida. Mikko Rantanen (1G 1A), J.T. Compher (1G 1A), and Kurtis MacDermid (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Colorado. Bobrovsky got the win despite saving only 27 of 31 shots (.870%).

FACING OFF

Colorado is averaging 2.96 goals per game for the season, 23rd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.41 goals a game (23rd).

Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.48 times a game on average, seventh in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 2.76 goals per game (9th).

Florida averages more shots/game (35.7) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.8% shooting percentage ranks 20th. With an average of 32.9 attempts, Colorado ranks ninth.

Don’t be surprised to see a few power play opportunities for the Avalanche, as the Panthers have been penalized 4.85 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 12.33 minutes (second-highest). The visitors are averaging 3.74 penalties (18th) and 8.60 penalty minutes a game (16th).

The Avalanche’s 23.64% power play percentage ranks 10th in the league, while the Panthers are 12th with a conversion rate of 23.12%. When it comes to defending power plays, Colorado has the league’s 23rd-ranked PK% at 75.82%, while Florida is 25th at 75.25%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 61 points this season, Rantanen is the top skater for the Avalanche. He is among the league leaders with 34 goals (4th) and has added 27 assists. In the net, Pavel Francouz (7-7-1) is Colorado’s top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 2.53 GAA and a .919% save percentage. Georgiev (20-11-3) leads the Avalanche in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.60 and a save percentage of .919%.Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 71 points (5th in the league).

He has 27 goals and 44 assists (5th). Spencer Knight (9-7-3) has the best goals against average for Florida at 3.06. He has a save percentage of .906%. Bobrovsky (13-13-2) has played the most games in net for the Panthers this season. He has a 3.17 GAA and a .900% save percentage.