After hitting our money line pick with ease courtesy of a 4-1 victory, the Florida Panthers followed it up with a tight 5-4 victory at home. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues had the lowest possible scoring game -- literally. So, what’s the play for a Panthers vs Blues prediction?
The Blues got the victory in their 1-0 showdown with the Utah Mammoth, and that one was earned via shootout. We have said it before, and it remains true that Joel Hofer deserves to be in net rather than Jordan Binnington. That’s in large part why we have a low total for this game, and while that adds up, it’s low enough where we’re comfortable taking the over. While Hofer has been strong, the question becomes whether or not he can keep it up. The Blues allow a ton of pressure on net with the ninth-most shots allowed per game, which is why Hofer also has the third-most expected goals against. In other words, that is support for our Panthers vs Blues prediction.
We can’t say that all of the regression is going to come in this one instance, but with this low total it only takes one extra goal to get things over the edge. Along with Florida not having elite goaltending, we like the over.
Panthers vs Blues prediction: Over 5.5 (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable to 6.
