Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/20/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-145) Blue Jackets (+125)

The Florida Panthers (41-24-3) are headed to Nationwide Arena on Thursday where they will attempt to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-28-8). The moneyline on this contest has the Panthers at -145 while the Blue Jackets are at +125. The over/under is 6.5.

The Florida Panthers will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 3-1 defeat against the Canadiens their last time on the ice. The Panthers didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. In the game, they converted 1 of the 22 shots they launched. Furthermore, they had 2 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. Florida compiled 6 penalty minutes for this contest.

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Florida Panthers opponents have totaled 202 power play opportunities (6th in the NHL) and have come away with 38 goals in those attempts. The Panthers so far have had 1,807 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .898. Florida has tried 2,149 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.1%. While playing at even strength, the Panthers have allowed the opponent to score 146 goals while scoring 168 of their own. Florida has accounted for 203 power play opportunities and they have scored 49 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 24.14%. For the year, they have 85 points and their points percentage comes in at .625. With regard to their scoring, the Florida Panthers have notched 217 goals (9th in pro hockey) so far this year and have conceded 184.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has been in net for 745 games over the course of his hockey career. He has compiled an overall mark of 424-239-57 and he started in 729 games. Opponents have notched 1,849 goals versus Bobrovsky in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.74. Bobrovsky has seen 21,594 shots taken against him and he has 19,745 saves. His save percentage currently is at .914 during his 40,436 mins on the ice. For his professional hockey career, Bobrovsky has accrued 423 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .580.

In their last outing, Columbus faced the Devils in an outing where the Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the score by a final score of 2-1. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this game but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Blue Jackets notched 1 goal of the 46 shots on goal they pursued.

For the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 214 goals, 70 points, and a points percentage of .522. They have permitted 222 goals to be scored by of a combination of 177 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have accumulated 184 goals at even strength and 30 goals (27th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have a tally of 156 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 19.23%. Columbus has attempted 1,915 shots (17th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.17%, while allowing the opposition 1,981 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 75.54% on their opponents 184 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.8%.

Across the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in goal. He has recorded 6,411 stops out of the 7,103 shots taken, giving him a rate of .903. Merzlikins is the owner of a lifetime mark of 90-97-34 and has played in 235 games. He has started in 221 games and has played 10,560 mins. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts comes out to 48.0% and he has made 106 quality starting assignments in his professional career. His opponents are averaging 3.93 goals per game and he has surrendered 692 goals in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Florida (-145)

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