The Florida Panthers will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in NHL action on Sunday.
Florida has played below expectations so far this season, having won 9 and lost as many games. They are placed fifth in the Eastern Conference Atlantic with 20 points, but have lost their footing in the last few games and need to address their issues for better results going forward.
Columbus has been poor overall, with 11 losses in 17 games of the season. Placed last in the Eastern Conference Metropolitan with 13 points, they are out of playoffs contention unless they substantially improve and start playing better for the rest of the season.
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Odds
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Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Match Details
Fixture: Panthers vs. Blue Jackets
Date & Time: Sunday, November 20; 6 pm EDT
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Key Stats
Florida has done well on offense through the partnership between Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. Both have 36 goal involvements in between them and have been instrumental, with Carter leading the scoring charts with 11 goals.
They need to do better while defending, as conceding 58 goals in 18 games has negated the positive work their offense has done. Their goaltenders are forced to make a lot of saves which can be avoided with good defending.
Columbus has not made the most of their opportunities this season and averages less than 3 goals per game and needs to be more clinical in front of goal. Players like Johnny Gaudreau and Jakub Voracek have played better compared to the other players on offense, but they still need to be better if they are to progress going forward this season.
The defense has conceded 75 goals in 17 games at an average of over 4 goals per game. Goaltenders have been poor and with a weak backline, things have gone worse. They need to address it to have better results for the rest of the season.
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets Betting Prediction
Both teams have failed to live up to their expectations so far this season and will look to make the most out of this game.
Florida has a better record against teams from the Metropolitan with 22 wins in their last 26 games and are 4-1 in their last 5 meetings in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets have been inconsistent over the course of the season and their past records go against them. They lost their last game by a big margin which has exposed them ahead of this crucial game.
With enough opportunities to explore, Florida are the favorites to win this game.
Prediction : Take, Florida, -1.5(+115)
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