Now that the 2024 NHL All Star Game has already been played, teams throughout the league are going to be trying to make a playoff push to end the year. There are some big games on the schedule this week, including a Wednesday night matchup between the Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Florida is coming into this game with some momentum as they have won four of their last five matchups on the ice. The Panthers are currently sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division this season with 70 points on the year.
Pittsburgh is coming into this game with 53 points on the year, and that’s good enough for just seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins are coming into this game having lost three of their last four, and that presents some major challenges.
The betting odds for this game are extremely tight, but Florida is a slim betting favorite at -115, while Pittsburgh has moneyline odds set at -105.
Panthers Looking to Score
The Florida Panthers have really come on strong over the last two weeks, and they have turned into an explosive hockey team. Florida is now scoring 3.19 goals per game this season, and they can get to four goals in a hurry.
Sam Reinhart is leading the way for the Panthers as he is leading the team with 39 goals and 64 points this season. Matthew Tkachuk has also chipped in with 39 assists, and that duo has made it hard on their opponents.
Not only has Florida been an explosive offensive team this season, but they are also allowing just 2.50 goals per game.
Penguins Playing Slow Hockey
The Pittsburgh Penguins have developed a new brand of hockey this season, and it’s one that has been frustrating for their opponents. Pittsburgh is scoring just 2.90 goals per game so far in 2023-24, but they are also allowing just 2.63 goals to their opponents.
Sidney Crosby just continues to prove that he is one of the best players in the world as he leads the team with 28 goals and 52 points. Even though Pittsburgh isn’t an explosive team, they do have some explosive players on this roster.
The Penguins will try to use their great penalty kill to stay close in this game as they are killing off 82 percent of their own penalties. That will be something to watch in this matchup as Florida can really score on the power play.
Florida Flies Past Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to be a tough team to deal with on their home ice, but they just haven’t been scoring enough goals. Pittsburgh will try to control the puck throughout this game, but it’s hard for that to happen.
Florida just continues to put so much pressure on their opponents, and that is going to be something to monitor on Wednesday night. The Panthers aren’t going to score goals easily, but at some point they will break through.
Bet on the Florida Panthers moneyline as they are going to come up with a big win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in this NHL showdown.
