Montréal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions March 15th 2025

Montréal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers March 15th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Panthers and Canadiens. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on NHLN, and it’s hosted by the Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. Get ready to place your bets! The Panthers come into this Atlantic division matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite to pick up the win. Currently, the over/under for the game is at 5.5 goals.

Bettors examining motivation and urgency should pay close attention to this matchup when making their NHL Betting Picks.

Florida vs. Montreal Key Information

• Teams: Panthers at Canadiens
• Where: Bell Centre Montreal
• Date: Saturday, March 15th
• Betting Odds FLA -201 | MON +169 O/U 5.5

The Panthers Can Win If…

Florida improved to 41-22-3 with a 4-2 win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 goal line.

All four of Florida’s goals came from different players. The Panthers led 2-0 before the Stars tied it up, but A.J. Greer’s goal in the third period put Florida back on top for good. Sam Reinhart added an empty-netter to seal the win.

Carolina scored four times on 25 shots in their 4-2 win over Dallas. A.J. Greer netted his first goal of the season, while Sam Reinhart added his 10th with an empty-netter. The Panthers’ other goals came from Evan Rodrigues, who now has three on the season, and Matthew Tkachuk, who also scored his third, this time on a power play.

Carolina had 16 giveaways but also picked up six assists. Tomás Nosek earned his first assist of the season, while Aleksander Barkov notched his sixth. Eetu Luostarinen now has four assists, and Sam Reinhart added his 11th assist to his 10th goal.

Florida’s defense gave up two goals in the second period but shut down the Stars in the third, leading to a 4-2 win. Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, and the Panthers’ defense added 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Florida will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark 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.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Florida has a record of 8-2. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 2-8.

The Canadiens Can Win If…

Montreal’s 3-1 road loss to the Penguins brought their record to 31-27-7. The Canadiens, as puck line underdogs, failed to cover, and the total of 4 goals fell short of the 6.5-goal line.

Montreal’s only goal came in the third period, after the Penguins had already scored twice. The Canadiens allowed a third goal with just 45 seconds left in the game.

Montreal managed 26 shots on goal but only converted once in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak scored his first goal of the season, with Emil Heineman picking up his first assist and Juraj Slafkovsky adding his seventh.

The Canadiens were held scoreless until the 3rd period and committed 20 giveaways in the game.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals of the game, one at 15:57 in the first period and another at 18:40 in the second. They also allowed an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the third. Sam Montembeault finished with 21 saves and a 91.3% save percentage, while the Canadiens’ defense had 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Montreal has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 3-0 as well as an over-under record of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Canadiens have gone 6-4 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 7-3 in these matchups, while posting a 6-4 over-under mark.

The Lean

If you’re considering a direct moneyline bet, the Panthers is the choice to make. However, with a payout of -201, you might want to use this bet as a building block for a parlay.

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

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Canadiens Face Must-Win Scenario vs. Red-Hot Panthers

The Montreal Canadiens (32-28-8) find themselves in must-win territory as they host the Eastern Conference-leading Florida Panthers (41-18-6) on Saturday night. Trailing in the playoff chase and coming off a deflating overtime loss to Seattle, Montreal desperately needs points to keep postseason hopes alive.

Canadiens Need Immediate Bounce-Back

Montreal suffered a painful setback Wednesday night, squandering a 4-2 third-period lead in Seattle before falling 5-4 just four seconds into overtime, marking the fastest overtime goal in NHL history. Forward Juraj Slafkovsky, who contributed offensively in the defeat, emphasized the significance of each remaining game, labeling Saturday’s clash with the Panthers as a must-win situation.

Slafkovsky, who scored against Seattle, stressed that the Canadiens must maintain their aggressive offensive approach, particularly at home, where they’ve scored exactly four goals in each of their last three wins. Montreal’s recent uptick at home should inspire confidence, but consistency and resilience will be vital to overcoming a strong Florida squad.

Panthers Thriving Despite Injuries

The Florida Panthers arrive in Montreal in impressive form, winning 12 of their last 15 games despite injuries to key contributors like Brad Marchand, along with other crucial absences including forwards Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Brandon Montour. This run highlights Florida’s remarkable depth and resilience, underlining why the reigning Stanley Cup champions remain dangerous despite setbacks.

Sam Bennett, a key figure in Florida’s recent surge, scored twice in Thursday’s victory and emphasized the team’s ability to rally around missing pieces as a hallmark of their identity. Rookie forward Mackie Samoskevich also continues to contribute timely scoring and playmaking, tallying six points in his last nine games. His emergence has provided critical depth during injuries to top forwards, further complicating matters for a Canadiens defense that has struggled to close out games.

Special Teams and Goaltending Could Prove Decisive

Florida’s dominance in special teams has significantly contributed to their recent hot streak. The Panthers’ power play is red-hot, converting at a 40% clip (6-for-15) over the last five games, while their penalty kill has been nearly perfect, allowing just one goal in the past eight contests (25-for-26). Montreal will need disciplined hockey and excellent special-teams play to counteract Florida’s current efficiency, making special teams a critical factor for bettors evaluating the total and puck-line markets.

Between the pipes, the matchup features two goaltenders playing at high levels. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has found his rhythm again, posting strong numbers (12 wins in his last 15 starts), complemented by an impressive 2.11 goals-against average during his recent hot streak. Newly acquired backup Sergei Bobrovsky provides additional reassurance, coming off a confidence-boosting win since arriving from San Jose.

For Montreal, starter Sam Montembeault (5-0-1, 2.11 GAA in last six) has been equally reliable, offering the Canadiens a solid presence in net during their playoff push. His ability to keep Montreal competitive in close games remains critical, particularly against high-powered offenses like Florida’s. Backup Jakub Dobes will also need to recover confidence after conceding five goals in his last appearance against Seattle.

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Head-to-Head and Betting Insights

The Canadiens know they must avoid mistakes against a Panthers team excelling on special teams and possessing tremendous scoring depth. To pull off an upset, Montreal must effectively exploit Florida’s depleted lineup while maintaining their recent offensive home form.

However, Florida enters Saturday’s matchup with significant confidence, having won 12 of their last 15 games. The Panthers have also historically performed well against Montreal, although the Canadiens secured a notable 4-3 win in their most recent matchup.

Considering these factors, bettors should weigh heavily on Montreal’s desperate urgency against Florida’s consistency and special teams’ excellence. The Canadiens’ home ice and motivation make them an intriguing underdog, but Florida’s proven ability to win tough road games still provides a compelling betting edge.

Before placing your wagers, be sure to consult our expert NHL Betting Picks for detailed betting angles and predictions on tonight’s crucial matchup.