The Florida Panthers (15-12-2) and Colorado Avalanche (21-2-7) meet Thursday in Denver, Colorado. The contest at Ball Arena will start at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Avalanche swept 2-0 last season
Florida is continuing a trip that opened Wednesday with the -104 Panthers defeating the Utah Mammoth 4-3 (Over 5.5). The club has scored 15 goals in winning 3 in a row.
Colorado last played Tuesday, dropping a 4-3 (Over 6) shootout at the +186 Nashville Predators. That loss capped a 2-0-2 road trip for a club that hasn’t lost in regulation since Oct. 25.
Panthers at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Panthers +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Avalanche -235 (bet $235 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers +1.5 (-120) | Avalanche -1.5 (+100)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -125 | U: +105)Panthers at Avalanche projected goalies
Daniil Tarasov (3-4-1, 2.47 GAA, .911 SV%) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (8-1-1, 2.21 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO)
Tarasov has appeared in just 1 game this month. That was Sunday when he stopped 20 of 21 pucks in a 4-1 home win over the New York Islanders.
Blackwood last played Sunday when he earned a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 29-year-old made 23 saves in that game. He owns a .941 SV% across his last 7 appearances.
Panthers at Avalanche picks and predictionsPrediction
Avalanche 3, Panthers 2
No interest; STEER CLEAR.
The Panthers are 2-1 in their last 3 games in Denver. And they head into this game having won 3 in a row away from home.
Florida has outshot foes 106-82 in building a plus-5 in goal differential over its last 3 games. An offense that got off to a dodgy start this season has cranked out 3.77 goals per game since Nov. 13.
The Avs have been tremendous, but they are back at home after a season-long 4-game trip.
FLORIDA +1.5 (-120) is a value play with a nice price tag.
Season expected-goal numbers suggest Florida’s defense is due for better results, while Colorado’s offense is likely headed for a dip. Those metrics apply to 5-on-5 play. Neither side has generated much value on the power play.
In recent games, both clubs have filed fewer high-danger chances in 5-on-5 action.
The UNDER 6 (+105) is the value side.
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