Florida Panthers vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions November 7th 2024

Florida Panthers vs Nashville Predators November 7th 2024

Betting on today’s Predators and Panthers game? Catch the action at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL, as the Panthers hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Panthers as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 6 goals.

Nashville vs. Florida Key Information

Nashville improved to 4-8-1 with a 5-2 win over the Avalanche. The Predators covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 7 goals went over the 6.5-goal line.

After falling behind 1-0, Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. Five different players scored for the Predators in the game.

Nashville’s offense took 25 shots on goal in their 5-2 victory over Colorado, with five different players finding the net. Filip Forsberg scored his 7th goal of the season, while Gustav Nyquist added his 4th, capping the game with an empty-netter. Steven Stamkos, with his 2nd goal of the year, also contributed with his 3rd assist on Roman Josi’s 1st goal of the season.

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The Predators scored twice on power plays and added two empty-net goals in the final moments. After a scoreless first period, they netted two in the second, including Colton Sissons’ 1st goal of the season, and added three more in the third.

On the defensive side, Juuse Saros made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage. Nashville’s defense also recorded 4 takeaways and 23 hits. The Predators gave up the first goal 2:54 into the 2nd period and another late in the 3rd, but they secured a 5-2 win with two empty-net goals.

Florida improved to 9-3-1 with a 4-2 victory over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, as the teams combined for 6 goals.

All four of Florida’s goals came from different players, and they took the lead for good with A.J. Greer’s goal at 2:32 in the third period. Sam Reinhart added an empty-net goal with 1:00 left to seal the win.

Carolina’s offense produced 4 goals on 25 shots in their 4-2 win over the Stars, with A.J. Greer netting his first goal of the season and Sam Reinhart adding his 10th on an empty net. The Panthers had 16 giveaways and scored twice in the third period.

Matthew Tkachuk scored his 3rd goal of the season on a power play, while Evan Rodrigues opened the scoring for Carolina in the first period. The Panthers recorded 6 assists in the game.

Florida’s defense gave up two goals in their last game, both coming in the second period. They allowed the first at 11:22 and the second at 11:56. However, they shut out the Stars in the third, helping secure a 4-2 win. Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, and the Panthers’ defense added 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

If you’re considering a direct moneyline bet, the Panthers is the choice to make. However, with a payout of -192, you might want to use this bet as a building block for a parlay.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Predators to cover. Even if the Panthers secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Predators should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Sam Reinhart, Panthers Look to Extend Win Streak Against Predators

The Florida Panthers return to home ice on Thursday night, aiming to keep their five-game win streak alive as they host the Nashville Predators in Sunrise, Fla. After a successful two-game stint in Finland, the Panthers are rested and ready, while the Predators come off a tough 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Panthers: Riding High on Reinhart’s Stellar Season

Leading the charge for the Panthers is Sam Reinhart, whose strong start has made him the team’s top performer this season. With a team-high 10 goals, 11 assists, and 21 points, Reinhart has been instrumental in pushing Florida to the top of the Atlantic Division. Last season, he notched 57 goals and was a key figure in the Panthers’ first-ever Stanley Cup win. This year, Reinhart is on pace to exceed those numbers, boasting an NHL-leading plus-13 rating.

“He’s very quiet,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said of Reinhart. “But he’s also very intense.”

The numbers back up that intensity, as the Panthers are undefeated this season when Reinhart finds the net, holding a perfect 8-0-0 record in such games. With goals in four consecutive games, Reinhart has racked up five goals and four assists during that span, proving invaluable to Florida’s success.

Key Players Returning to Full Strength

The Panthers have been buoyed by the recent return of captain Aleksander Barkov and forward Matthew Tkachuk, both of whom missed time early in the season due to injury. Barkov’s presence has boosted the Panthers significantly; in the three games since his return, he’s recorded two goals, five assists, and holds a plus-6 rating. Tkachuk, who has been back for six games, has contributed three goals and three assists.

In net, Sergei Bobrovsky is also playing a vital role, boasting a 6-2-1 record and a 3.08 goals-against average. His steadiness between the pipes has been crucial to Florida’s recent success.

Predators: Struggling Despite Offseason Additions

The Predators, meanwhile, are seeking answers after a 1-3-1 stretch over their past five games. Their frustrations were evident in Wednesday’s loss to Washington, a game in which Nashville hit several posts and had a goal disallowed, compounding their recent misfortunes.

Former Panthers coach Andrew Brunette, now leading Nashville, expressed his disappointment after the game but remained hopeful about the team’s direction.

In the offseason, Nashville made several big moves to bolster their roster, signing notable veterans Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Stamkos, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, joined the Predators on a four-year, $32 million contract, leaving behind a storied 16-season tenure with Tampa Bay. Despite being a leader in the locker room, Stamkos has struggled with consistency this season, recording three goals, three assists, and a minus-10 rating over 13 games.

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Marchessault, a former Panther who signed a two-year, $27.5 million deal with Nashville, has two goals and five assists but carries a minus-8 rating. Skjei, a reliable defenseman who joined on a seven-year, $49 million contract, has contributed two goals and four assists thus far.

Building on Positive Effort

Despite the recent losses, Stamkos believes the Predators’ effort against Washington was one of their best performances to date.

“Our work ethic and effort — that’s the style of play we want,” Stamkos said. “It was probably one of our better efforts of the year. It’s tough when (you give great effort) and you’re not rewarded. But these are the games that hopefully we can build on.”

The Predators will need to channel that energy into a strong showing against a red-hot Panthers squad. With a day’s rest advantage and their stars performing at peak levels, the Panthers have momentum on their side as they look to continue their winning ways and further solidify their position atop the Atlantic Division. For Nashville, Thursday’s game presents an opportunity to regroup and disrupt the streak of one of the league’s most in-form teams.