Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions March 23rd 2025

Penguins Look to Keep Pushing for Playoff Spot vs. Panthers

Captain Sidney Crosby is on fire, riding a six-game point streak, as the Pittsburgh Penguins continue their playoff push. The Penguins have won five of their last six games and are aiming to maintain momentum as they face the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

Crosby Leading the Penguins’ Charge

Sidney Crosby has been the driving force behind the Penguins’ recent success, tallying 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last six games. The 37-year-old veteran has recorded 25 goals and 76 points in 69 games this season, marking his 20th season in the NHL. Pittsburgh (29-32-10, 68 points) is currently seven points out of the last wild-card playoff spot with just 11 games left in the regular season.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the team’s progress but stressed the need for improvement, particularly on defense:
“I still think there are areas to grow. There are areas where we’ve got to get better, in particular, on the defensive side of the puck. I think that just boils down to details and commitment. I know we’re capable of that.”

Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust also contributed with a goal and an assist each in the Penguins’ 6-3 home victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made an impressive 44 saves, earning his first start since March 7.

Nedeljkovic said after the game:
“There’s just always something to play for. If not for yourself, for somebody else. It’s part of being a good teammate. You play for each other and you’re happy when the guy next to you has success because you know when you have your time, he’ll be cheering for you as well.”

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Panthers Looking to Regain Form

Despite fighting for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (42-25-3, 87 points) have hit a rough patch. They have lost four of their last six games, including a 6-3 defeat against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, which marked the end of a six-game road trip.

Florida coach Paul Maurice addressed the recent struggles:
“We’ve had a couple of tough nights here on this road trip. It’s been six games, and you’d like to be .500 or better when you’re on the road. We failed to do that, but we won’t fold the season.”

In Saturday’s game, the Panthers and Capitals exchanged goals in a wild six-goal first period, with Florida tying the score three times. Sam Bennett had a goal and an assist, while defenseman Seth Jones and Jonah Gadjovich also scored.

However, the Panthers struggled to contain Washington’s speed through the neutral zone, leading to multiple odd-man rushes.
“I think we gave up too many odd-man rushes,” Bennett said. “They were coming with all this speed through the neutral zone, and we just let them get in for breakaways or odd-man rushes. We can’t let that happen.”

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Penguins vs. Panthers: Key Players to Watch

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby

Crosby is the heart and soul of the Penguins and continues to deliver on the biggest stage. His leadership and scoring ability will be critical as the Penguins fight for a playoff spot.

Florida Panthers: Sam Bennett

Bennett has been one of the Panthers’ most consistent contributors, and his offensive production will be crucial to keep Florida in the race for the division title.

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Playoff Implications and Betting Tips

This matchup is pivotal for both teams. The Penguins need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, while the Panthers aim to maintain their position near the top of the Atlantic Division. Given Crosby’s hot streak and the Panthers’ recent struggles, Pittsburgh may have the upper hand in this game.

Betting Tip:

Consider betting on the Penguins as slight underdogs, especially if Crosby continues his impressive scoring streak. Also, take a look at the over, as both teams have been allowing a fair share of goals recently.

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Explore division odds and predictions on the following pages:

• NHL Pacific Division Odds & Predictions
• NHL Central Division Odds & Predictions
• NHL Metropolitan Division Odds & Predictions
• NHL Atlantic Division Odds & Predictions

Final Thoughts

The Penguins are clawing their way toward a playoff spot, while the Panthers are trying to stabilize after a challenging road trip. Expect an intense battle as both teams fight for crucial points in the standings.