Florida Panthers vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions March 1st 2025

Florida Panthers vs Calgary Flames March 1st 2025

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Flames versus the Panthers? The puck drops at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Panthers are favored by -1.5 vs. the Flames in a non-conference matchup.

Calgary vs. Florida Key Information

• Teams: Flames at Panthers
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena Sunrise
• Date: Saturday, March 1st
• Betting Odds FLA -221 | CGY +185 O/U 5.5

The Flames Can Win If…

Calgary’s 4-2 loss to the Oilers dropped their record to 28-22-8. The Flames, as underdogs, failed to cover the puck line, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Calgary tied it up with goals in the second and third. However, Edmonton responded with two more, including an empty-netter, to seal the win.

Calgary’s offense was limited to just two goals in their recent game against Edmonton, with Anthony Mantha netting his 4th goal of the season and Yegor Sharangovich adding his 1st. Mantha’s goal came on a power play, 4:33 into the 2nd period, while Sharangovich scored 4:28 into the 3rd.

The Flames fired 31 shots on goal but were hindered by 22 giveaways. Tyson Barrie picked up his 1st assist of the season on Mantha’s goal, and Mikael Backlund added his 4th assist. Kevin Bahl was credited with his 5th assist on Sharangovich’s goal.

Calgary’s defense got off to a rough start, allowing the first two goals of the game, but they had the game tied 2-2 in the 3rd period before giving up a power play goal at the 9:50 mark. They also allowed an empty net goal with 3 seconds left, resulting in a 4-2 loss. Goalie Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage, while the defense had 15 blocks and 4 takeaways.

• Calgary has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 0-3 in these games.
• Calgary has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 3-7, while posting an over-under record of 1-8-1.

The Panthers Can Win If…

Florida improved to 36-21-3 with a 4-2 win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites and the total of 6.5 goals was not surpassed, as the teams combined for 6 goals.

All four of Florida’s goals came from different players, with Sam Reinhart’s empty-netter at 19:00 in the 3rd period sealing the game. The Panthers led 2-0 at one point, but the Stars tied it up before A.J. Greer’s goal at 2:32 in the 3rd put Florida ahead for good.

Carolina’s offense found the net four times in their 4-2 victory over the Stars, with A.J. Greer scoring his first goal of the season and Sam Reinhart adding his 10th on an empty net. The Panthers took 25 shots on goal and scored once on the power play, with Matthew Tkachuk netting his third goal of the season.

Carolina had 16 giveaways and scored two of their four goals in the third period. Evan Rodrigues got things started with his third goal of the season, while Tomas Nosek recorded his first assist of the year.

Defensively, the Panthers will look to carry their momentum from the 3rd period of their previous game, where they didn’t allow a goal. Spencer Knight made 23 saves, finishing with a 92% save percentage, while the defense had 8 takeaways and 22 hits. The Panthers’ defense did allow two goals in the 2nd period, but they were the only goals they gave up in the game.

• Through their last three games, the Panthers have a record of 2-1. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 1-2 in these games.
• Florida has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

For those seeking a straight moneyline bet, the Panthers are the top choice. Nonetheless, with a payout of -221, you might want to use this bet as a part of a parlay to get better odds.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Flames to cover. Even if the Panthers manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Flames should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Three Former Panthers Return as Flames Visit Florida

Saturday afternoon in Sunrise, Florida will carry plenty of emotions as the Calgary Flames face the Florida Panthers, with three former Panthers—Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Lomberg, and MacKenzie Weegar—returning to their old home.

For Huberdeau, the matchup is particularly meaningful. The veteran forward spent a decade with the Panthers, scoring 198 goals and 415 assists, making him one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Weegar was also a key piece of Florida’s blue line, posting 121 points in six seasons. Lomberg, meanwhile, played a smaller role but was part of Florida’s 2024 Stanley Cup-winning team before moving on to Calgary.

On the other side, Matthew Tkachuk, who was the centerpiece of the trade that brought Huberdeau and Weegar to Calgary, remains a crucial piece of the Panthers’ success. The former Flames star has racked up 152 goals and 230 assists in six seasons. However, he has missed three straight games with a lower-body injury and is not expected to play on Saturday.

Panthers Continue to Thrive Without Tkachuk

Despite missing Tkachuk, Florida has continued its strong form, earning a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

One of the emerging stars in Tkachuk’s absence has been Anton Lundell, who at 23 years old is blossoming into a key contributor. Lundell had a season-high three points against Edmonton and continues to gain confidence in his role.

“He can take over and dominate a game,” said defenseman Nate Schmidt. “As a young player, he is just getting better. It’s fun to watch his progression as a young kid growing into a man in this league.”

Schmidt and Uvis Balinskis, Florida’s third defensive pairing, both scored goals on Thursday, showing the Panthers’ depth. Schmidt described their chemistry as a partnership built on communication.

“When I was younger, a vet once told me that a defense pairing is like a marriage,” Schmidt said. “If we don’t talk, there are going to be problems.”

Florida’s defensive backbone remains Aaron Ekblad (29 points) and Gustav Forsling (22 points), while the forward group is led by Sam Reinhart (31 goals, 64 points) and captain Aleksander Barkov (40 assists).

Flames Searching for More Offensive Balance

Calgary is coming off a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, and while the scoreline suggests a poor showing, the Flames felt they played well overall.

Weegar acknowledged that the Flames need to generate more offense, especially from their defensive group.

“I’d like to find a little bit of offense, contribute. We’ve got to help our forwards with the scoring,” Weegar said.

Nazem Kadri and Huberdeau lead the team with 43 points each, while Huberdeau also leads Calgary with 22 goals. Weegar has played more of a playmaking role, leading the team with 26 assists.

Flames defenseman Joel Hanley emphasized the need for better offensive balance. While Huberdeau had five shots on goal against Tampa Bay and Kadri had four, the rest of the team combined for only 18 shots.

“Other guys have to get themselves involved offensively,” Hanley said. “Somebody has to step up and generate. You can’t ask (Huberdeau and Kadri) to do everything. Other guys have to have a little more jump.”

Flames Aim to Regroup on Tough Road Trip

Calgary has had mixed results on its current six-game road trip, posting a 1-1-0 record so far. The trip began with an impressive 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals before the shutout loss to Tampa Bay.

“It’s a hard road trip,” Hanley said. “We have a lot to prove.”

Flames forward Blake Coleman remains confident that if the team continues to play the right way, success will follow.

“I think we’re still confident,” Coleman said. “We felt good about our process (on Thursday), and if we do that again in our next game we will be alright.”

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What to Expect in Saturday’s Matchup

With former Panthers returning to face their old team and Florida pushing for another deep playoff run, this game carries extra weight for both sides.

For Calgary, it’s an opportunity to get back on track offensively and find contributions beyond their top scorers. For Florida, it’s about maintaining momentum and proving they can win even without Tkachuk.

Expect an intense, physical battle as the Flames and Panthers square off in Sunrise.