Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Panthers vs Blue Jackets NHL Odds
Looking for Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Panthers taking on the Blue Jackets on Thursday January 28th at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Panthers Blue Jackets matchup.
2021 NHL Handicapping
(3-0-0) Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-3)
Date: Thursday, January 28
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Panthers -105, Blue Jackets -115
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Panthers +1.5 (-270), Blue Jackets -1.5 (+220)
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
The Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets will meet for the second game of a back-to-back Thursday as the Panthers look to keep their undefeated record in check.
Florida Panthers
Despite their three consecutive wins to start the year, the Panthers find themselves at plus money in this contest. The Panthers are coming off a down to the wire, 4-3 shootout victory against the Jackets on Tuesday.
In that contest, the Panthers found themselves down early despite outshooting the Jackets 10-3 in the first period. Aleksander Barkov picked up his first goal of the season while Carter Verhaeghe notched his third in the win.
Patric Hornqvist tied the game late in regulation to force overtime. He then scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.
Sergei Bobrovsky saved 19 shots for the Panthers Tuesday, but he is not expected to start this time around. The Panthers ultimately outshot the Jackets 31-22.
A big reason for the Panthers pulling through Tuesday was their ability to limit high danger chances for the Jackets (just two).
The Panthers have done well offensively to this point, averaging 4.33 goals a game. Granted, they haven’t played a high octane schedule, but they still rank 11th in the league in power play success.
Columbus Blue Jackets
It’s no secret that the Blue Jackets have been unable to generate much offense this season. The Panthers have also played well defensively, allowing 3 goals per game.
Former Jackets goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky has a GSAA of just -1.47 and gave up three goals in a span of 12 shots. This is part of the reason I am still not sold on the Panthers, but with Chris Driedger starting Thursday, things could change. The Panthers defense is also killing 40 percent of opponents power plays.
The Jackets are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are converting 7.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Joonas Korpisalo has given up 10 goals against 139 shots while Elvis Merzlikins has allowed the same amount of goals on 92 shots. Korpisalo is expected to start.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Panthers are 4-9 in their last 13 games as an underdog.
- Panthers are 0-5 in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Panthers are 3-14 in the last 17 meetings in Columbus.
- Home team is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings.
Free Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Prediction:
I expect Columbus to earn to split in this back to back. Columbus has gradually increased its quality of play at even strength over their last few games and I expect that to lead to a win here. There’s been value on the team that lost the front end of a back-to-back as well.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Columbus -115 ML,
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