Both teams will be looking to end losing runs when the Florida Panthers (-280) welcome the Montreal Canadiens (+230) at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. The total is 6.5 (O: -130, U: +110)Montreal (15-17-3) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a 4-1 loss against the Lightning yesterday, their third straight defeat.
The Canadiens conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Kaiden Guhle was the only player to find the net for the Canadiens. Jake Allen saved only 34 of 38 shots against (.894%) in the loss.
Florida (15-16-4) dropped their third straight game, falling 5-1 to the Islanders on Friday. Matthew Tkachuk netted the lone goal for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky saved only 38 of 42 shots against (.904%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Panthers won three of the four games between the teams last season, although the Canadiens were 10-2 victors in their final meeting in April. Cole Caufield led Montreal with three goals. Ben Chiarot led Florida with two points (1G 1A). Carey Price got the win, saving 37 of 39 shots (.948%).
FACING OFF
Montreal is averaging 2.63 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.40 goals a game (23rd). Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.23 times a game on average, 12th in the league, and the Canadiens are allowing opponents to score 3.49 goals per game (25th).
Florida averages more shots per game (36.3) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage ranks 25th. With an average of 28.2 attempts, Montreal ranks 30th.
Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Canadiens, as the Panthers have been penalized 4.89 times a game, third-most in the NHL, for an average of 12.06 minutes (third-highest).
The visitors are averaging 4.40 penalties (eighth) and 11.94 penalty minutes a game (4th). The Canadiens’ 13.51% power play percentage is the lowest in the league, while the Panthers rank 26th with a conversion rate of 17.74%. When it comes to defending power plays, Florida has the league’s 18th-ranked PK% at 77.61%, while Montreal is 20th at 76.23%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 31 points this season, Nick Suzuki is the top skater for the Canadiens. He has 15 goals and 16 assists in 35 games. In the net, Sam Montembeault (6-3-2) is Montreal’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.89 GAA and a .912% save percentage. Allen (9-13-1) leads the Canadiens in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.26 and a save percentage of .900%.
Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 40 points. He has 15 goals and 25 assists in 32 games. Spencer Knight (8-5-3) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.93.
He has a save percentage of .909%. Bobrovsky (7-11-1) has played the most games in net for the Panthers this season. He has a 3.29 GAA and a .895% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Montreal is looking to avoid a fourth successive road defeat this season. Florida is 8-5-3 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 3-2 without a day off and 2-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Panthers are 2-3 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Florida Panthers -1.5 (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
