Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/15/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

The Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1-0) host the Florida Panthers (1-2-0) at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.

The Florida Panthers will need a bounce back game after taking a 5-2 defeat against the Sabres their last time out. Florida had 8 minutes in the box for this contest. The Panthers offense left a lot to be desired in the loss. They also had 2 attempts on the power play and netted 1 goal. For the game, they netted 2 of the 25 shots they tried.

Florida Panthers opponents have earned 10 power play opportunities (11th in the NHL) and have a total of 2 goals in those attempts. The Panthers thus far have had 86 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .860. Florida has taken 92 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 9.8%. While at even strength, the Panthers let the opposition score 10 goals while having 8 themselves. Florida comes into tonight with 10 power play chances and they have added 1 goal during those chances, giving them a rate of 10.00%. For the year, they sit with 2 points and their points percentage comes in at .333. Regarding scoring goals, the Florida Panthers have racked up 9 goals (11th in the NHL) this season and have conceded 12.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Spencer Knight. Knight has been involved in 58 games during his NHL career. He has a mark of 32-18-6 and he started in 50 games. The opposition has notched 155 goals versus Knight in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.93. Knight has had 1,628 shots taken against him and has recorded 1,473 total saves. His save percentage is .905 in his 3,174 minutes on the ice. In his professional hockey career, Knight has recorded 23 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .460.

In their last game, Columbus faced the Avalanche in an outing where the Blue Jackets notched a victory by a final score of 6-4. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this outing and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Blue Jackets recorded 6 goals out of the 23 shots on goal they took.

Columbus has taken 56 shots (26th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 14.29%, while allowing the other team 56 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 57.14% on their oppositions 7 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 87.5%. They have earned 6 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 33.33%. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 6 goals at even strength and 2 goals (16th in the league) while on the power play. They have permitted 7 goals to be scored by way of 4 goals at even strength and 3 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 8 goals, 2 points, and a points percentage of .500.

Across the rink you will find Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. Merzlikins has a lifetime record of 55-63-22 and has played in 151 contests. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts sits at 47.8% and he has accumulated 66 quality starting assignments in his career. He has gathered 4,148 stops out of the 4,579 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .906. Opponents are averaging 3.13 goals per game and he has allowed 431 goals overall. He has been a starter 138 games and has played 8,251 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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