The Florida Panthers (-195) host the St. Louis Blues (+165) at FLA Live Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -130, U: +110)St. Louis (10-10-0) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a 5-2 loss against the Lightning yesterday.
The Blues committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich each scored once for the Blues. Jordan Binnington saved only 22 of 26 shots against (.846%) in the loss.
Florida (10-8-2) beat the Bruins 5-2 on Wednesday. Five players found the net for the Panthers. Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad both scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Spencer Knight was impressive in the win, making 37 saves (.948%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 4-3 (OT) victory for the Blues in December. Four players had two points for St. Louis. Carter Verhaeghe and Maxim Mamin each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Florida. Charlie Lindgren saved three shots to earn the shutout win.
FACING OFF
St. Louis is averaging 2.80 goals per game for the season, 25th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.25 goals a game (20th). Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.40 times a game on average, 10th in the league, and the Blues are allowing opponents to score 3.50 goals per game (27th).
Florida averages more shots per game (39.7) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage ranks 28th. With an average of 30.2 attempts, St. Louis ranks 21st. The Blues’ 24.07% power play percentage ranks ninth in the league, while the Panthers are 23rd with a conversion rate of 18.99%.
While efficient on the power play, St. Louis has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s third-lowest PK% at 67.39%. Florida’s 75.00% ranks 23rd in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 19 points this season, Robert Thomas is the top skater for the Blues. He has four goals and 15 assists in 20 games. In the net, Binnington (9-6-0) is St. Louis’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.98 GAA and a .905% save percentage.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 27 points (9th in the league). He has nine goals and 18 assists (7th). Knight (6-3-1) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.39. He has a save percentage of .922%.
Sergei Bobrovsky (4-5-1) has played the most games in net for the Panthers this season. He has a 3.62 GAA and a .888% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 5-6-0 away from home this season. Florida is 6-2-2 at FLA Live Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Blues are 1-2 without a day off and 1-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Panthers are 2-0 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6.5 Goals (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
