Florida Panthers at Detroit Red Wings

By Sam Batz

The Detroit Red Wings host their Atlantic Division rivals the Florida Panthers for the last time on Monday, March 20th (7:00 PM EST, NHL Net). The Panthers lead Detroit in the divisional standings by 8 points and have collected 5 more wins than the Red Wings. Florida defeated Detroit in both of their previous matchups, the first in the Panthers home arena in early December, the second on the Red Wings home ice in January. Florida averages 4 goals per game against Detroit, while the Red Wings average just 1.5 goals per game against the Panthers. Current NHL odds have the Panthers favored at -176 (moneyline) while the Red Wings are priced at +145 (moneyline). 

Florida Panthers Breakdown (-176)

The Panthers are 35-27-7 with 77 points. They have 13 games left on their schedule, and according to FiveThirtyEight, could sneak into the playoffs with a 64% chance to see the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. Last season, the Panthers made it to the Conference Semifinals, but were bounced by Tampa Bay in a 4-0 sweep. Florida is making a final push in an attempt to secure a playoff spot and have found their groove after winning 7 of their last 10 matchups. The Panthers are coming off an impressive 4-2 home victory over the top-notch New Jersey Devils, but must now hit the road where they have struggled at times, winning just 41.2% of their away games. 

Detroit Red Wings Breakdown (+145)

The Red Wings are 30-29-9 with 69 points through 68 contests. They are 7th in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference (4 spots behind the Panthers in the East). Detroit is not expected to make the playoffs and will most likely miss the postseason for the 7th consecutive season. Not much is certain when it comes to the NHL’s playoff picture, but after going 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, Detroit looks far from playoff ready. The Red Wings struggles, on both offense and defense, have been evident in their last 10 matchups; averaging 2.2 goals per game and posting a goal differential of -18 (22 goals, 40 goals against) over that 10 game stretch, and on Monday, the Red Wings face an opponent whom they haven’t beat in 8 straight matchups. 

Panthers vs. Red Wings Odds

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Panthers vs. Red Wings: Season Stats

Panthers vs. Red Wings: Betting Trends

Panthers vs. Red Wings: Bold Predictions

The Red Wings are the underdogs, but as the underdogs, win 45.5% of the time at home. The Panthers are the favorites, but as the favorites on the road, win just 47.6% of the time. However, in their last 10 matchups over the past 2 years, the Florida Panthers are 9-1-0 against the Red wings, recording 18 points, 43 goals, and 17 goals against. I predict the Panthers will secure their 9th consecutive win against the Red Wings on Monday. 

Florida’s Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk has had an excellent season, recording the most points (92) for the Panthers off of 32 goals (T-20th) and 60 assists (T-5th). Tkachuk averaged 1.6 points (4 goals, 12 assists) in his last 10 games, posting a +/- rating of +7. The 25-year old out of Arizona has played in 95.7% of the Panthers games this season, and in his most recent outing, recorded 5 shots and 1 goal. I predict Tkachuk will get at least 1 point (goal or assist) against the Red Wings on Monday. 

Detroit’s main man, Center Dylan Larkin, is the only Red Wing with 20+ goals this season as he leads the team with 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists). Larkin is Detroit’s best offensive weapon, but the 26-year old Center has struggled against the Panthers. Over their previous 2 matchups with Florida, Larkin has failed to record a single point, posting a combined 6 total shots over the two games, but no goals. He averaged 0.8 points per game (3 goals, 5 assists) over his last 10 appearances. I predict Larkin will continue to struggle against the Panthers and will end Monday’s divisional matchup with 0 points once again. 

Panthers vs. Red Wings: Game Prediction

Take the Florida Panthers (-176) moneyline. The Panthers are not the best outside their territory, but the Red Wings win just 50% of the time at home. Florida is the better team overall, and their recent matchup history with Detroit proves their superiority. Detroit has little to play for as we near the end of the season, but the Panthers remain in the hunt for the playoffs. Florida enters Monday’s matchup with a lot of positive momentum, while Detroit’s wings have been clipped after a disappointing end to a rather unremarkable year. 

Prediction: Florida Panthers (-176) Moneyline and the Over (6.5); Final Score: 5-3

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