Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers Prediction, 2/24/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers

Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022

Location: FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, FL

TV: Bally Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+270) Panthers (-345)

The Florida Panthers (35-11-5) will play the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-23-1) at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. The odds on this game have Columbus at +270 while Florida is priced at -345. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-3 victory against the Maple Leafs in the last game they played. Columbus amassed 4 minutes in the box in this matchup. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive outing in the victory. They also had 2 chances on the power play and netted 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they converted 4 out of the 30 shots they launched.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 141 power play opportunities (21st in the league) and have come away with 27 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have had 1,765 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .897. Columbus has attempted 1,495 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.0%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 155 goals while scoring 142 when they are on offense. Columbus steps onto the ice with 124 power play chances and they have scored 22 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 17.74%. For the current campaign, they have earned 53 points and their points percentage is sitting at .530. Pertaining to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 164 goals (13th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have allowed 182.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. In his professional hockey career, Merzlikins has earned 45 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .529. He has a save percentage of .914 for his 5,048 minutes on the ice. Merzlikins has had 2,764 shots against him and has amassed 2,525 saves. Opponents have been able to score 239 goals versus Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.84. He has compiled a record of 39-34-14 and he has started in 85 games. Merzlikins has been in goal for 93 matchups during his pro hockey career.

In their last game, Florida went up against the Predators in an outing where the Panthers ended up taking the loss by a score of 6-4. The Panthers earned 4 goals out of the 48 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 3 power play chances in this game and converted 1 goal out of those tries.

On the season, the Florida Panthers have 210 goals, 75 points, in addition to a points percentage of .735. They have granted a total of 148 goals to be scored by of a combination of 114 goals at even strength and 34 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Panthers have accumulated 177 goals at even strength and 33 goals (12th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 159 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 20.75%. Florida has tried 1,860 shots (1st in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 11.29%, while allowing their opponents 1,610 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.01% on their opponents 162 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 90.8%.

Across the ice you will find Sergei Bobrovsky defending the goal. He has tallied 15,477 saves out of the 16,888 shots taken, giving him a save % of .916. Bobrovsky has earned a career mark of 323-185-48 and has participated in 574 contests. He has been a starter 560 games and has accumulated 33,083 minutes. Bobrovsky's quality start rate sits at 56.6% and he has earned 317 quality starting assignments in his pro career. The opposition is averaging 2.56 goals per contest and he has relinquished 1,411 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take Florida (-345)

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