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The Florida Panthers (24-14-2) take on the Colorado Avalanche (24-15-1) Monday. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Avalanche lead 1-0
The Panthers outlasted the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in a shootout Friday. That stopped a stretch where they lost 3 of 4. LW Matthew Tkachuk scored his 14th of the season to end a 6-game goalless drought. The Cats are just feast or famine right now. Over the last 5 games, they had a total of 1 goal in the 3 losses and 8 goals in the 2 wins.
The Avs snapped a 6-game winning streak with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. RW Mikko Rantanen nailed his 23rd goal for the Avs’ only tally. Overall, though, they’ve really hit their stride, and that coincided with the acquisition of G Mackenzie Blackwood. Colorado is 7-1-0-1 since landing Blackwood Dec. 14.
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Panthers at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 1:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Panthers +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Avalanche -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers +1.5 (-250) | Avalanche -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Panthers at Avalanche projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (17-8-1, 2.79 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (12-10-4, 2.65 GAA, .917 SV%, 1 SO)
If the season ended today, Bob would have the worst SV% since his second year in the league in 2011-12. Is the 36-year-old wearing down after an epic Stanley Cup run last year? Recent numbers suggest: No. He stopped 37 of 39 against Carolina Thursday, and he was 6-2-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .911 SV% last month. Colorado pumped 6 goals by Bob on 24 shots in the November meeting.
Blackwood was between the pipes in the 2-1 shootout loss Saturday, stopping 22 of 23 fired his way. He is 6-1-1 with a 1.78 GAA and .935 SV% in 8 appearances with Colorado. In his last start with the San Jose Sharks Dec. 7, Blackwood stopped 51 of 54 shots in a 3-1 loss.
Panthers at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Panthers 2
Moneyline
The Avs beat the Panthers to a pulp 7-4 in Florida in November, and the way they’re playing now that they have a goalie they can confide in, I’ll take them against anyone.
Take the AVALANCHE -125.
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m also shooting for the PL here. The Avs are 2-2 against the Panthers in the last 4 meetings, and both Avs victories were by multiple goals. If you’re offering double money, I’m taking it.
Take the AVALANCHE -1.5 (+200).
I’d also consider taking Outright Winner: Avalanche (+1200) because this is the best price you’ll get the rest of the year once everyone catches on to how dangerous this team is with a competent goalie.
Over/Under
The Avs are 4-6 O/U in their last 10, and the Panthers are 3-6-1. I’m taking the Under here because the Panthers offense has been so spotty. It has scored 2 or fewer goals in half of the last 10 games.
LEAN UNDER 6.5 (-120).
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