Predators vs Panthers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NHL Picks Today (3/21): Josi Remains Hot

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The red-hot Nashville Predators (40-25-4) put their three-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Florida Panthers (45-19-4) in an ESPN+ Hockey Night showdown on Thursday, March 21.

GAME DAY pic.twitter.com/gk59M60OAa

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 21, 2024

The Predators are coming off Monday’s 8-2 win over the San Jose Sharks that saw six different players recording multi-point nights. Meanwhile, the Panthers just lost back-to-back games for the first time since January, most recently falling 5-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning over the weekend.

Both clubs are among the NHL’s best, however, their championship odds couldn’t be any different. While Florida is the +650 favorite to win the 2023-24 Stanley Cup on BetOnline, Nashville sits 14th at +5000 odds.

Will those odds change following tonight’s contest? Let’s dive into my Predators vs. Panthers NHL prediction and best bets to discuss.

Predators vs Panthers NHL Betting Tonight (3/21)

Predators vs Panthers Matchup Information

• Matchup: Nashville Predators (40-25-4, 21-10-3 Away) vs. Florida Panthers (45-19-4, 21-10-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL)
• Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Predators vs. Panthers: ESPN+, Hulu

Panthers vs Predators NHL Betting Odds

Panthers vs. Predators odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, March 21 at 9:21 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Predators vs Panthers Puck Line

• Nashville Predators +1.5 (-155)
• Florida Panthers -1.5 (+135)

Panthers vs Predators Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (-118)
• Under 6 Goals (+102)

Predators vs Panthers Moneyline

• Nashville Predators (+151)
• Florida Panthers (-170)

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NHL Best Bets & Picks Today

Are you hoping to get in on even more NHL betting action today? Be sure to check out our NHL picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 game.

You can also check out:

• Latest NHL odds
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Predators vs Panthers NHL Betting Trends

• Nashville is 13-2 straight up in its last 15 games.
• Florida is 7-2 straight up in its last nine home games.
• The total hit the Under in four of Nashville’s last five games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• The total hit the Under in 16 of Nashville’s last 18 games on a Thursday.
• The total hit the Under in six of the last nine Nashville-Florida matchups.

Predators vs Panthers NHL Prediction & Pick (3/21): Nashville Extends Road Success

The Panthers have been one of the hottest teams league-wide since the end of December, but they’re currently in a rough patch. They’ve lost three of their last five games and are coming off back-to-back losses, getting outscored 9-3 on aggregate in the last two games alone.

Unfortunately, things don’t get any easier tonight. Since Feb. 17, the Predators lead the NHL with a 93.3% winning percentage while ranking second in goals for (65) and first in goals against (29). That’s without mentioning how Nashville has outscored its last three opponents by a total of 11 goals.

A big part of the Predators’ success over the last month or so has been their star players stepping up. Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi pace their teammates with 21 points apiece over that stretch while Gustav Nyquist isn’t too far behind with 19. Even Ryan McDonagh has racked up 13 assists across his last 15 outings.

Of course, the Predators also wouldn’t be where they are without Juuse Saros’ incredible play between the pipes. The Finnish netminder hasn’t lost in regulation since Feb. 15, going 10-0-2 with a 1.91 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in his last 12 starts.

Juuse Saros has been tremendous for the Predators since the middle of February. 

The Panthers, on the other hand, haven’t been getting the best goaltending lately. Although it’s a small sample size, Sergei Bobrovsky has played to a 3.40 GAA and .873 SV% in his last trio of appearances, allowing at least three goals in each start.

Making matters worse is that Bobrovsky hasn’t beaten the Predators in over three years. The veteran goalie has piled up four losses in six matchups since that last win, recording a putrid 4.28 GAA and .848 SV% along the way.

And while Florida has won seven of its last nine home games, Nashville is 8-1 SU across its last nine road outings. The Predators are more than comfortable playing away from home and it shows given that they haven’t lost in regulation on the road since Jan. 27.

Do the Panthers have what it takes to end the Predators’ road success? 

The Panthers have the home-ice advantage tonight, but it’s hard to doubt the Predators with the roll they’ve been on. Nashville has been beating teams left and right over the last month and that’s a trend I see continuing if Saros remains a brick wall in goal. Unless Bobrovsky completely reverses his current trajectory, it’s hard to imagine the Panthers winning this game.

With that being said, I’m going to stick with the Predators on the moneyline before moving on to the best player prop bet.

Predators vs Panthers NHL Prediction: NSH wins

Best Predators vs Panthers NHL Bet: NSH ML (+151)

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Best Predators vs Panthers NHL Player Prop (3/21)

As mentioned earlier, Roman Josi has been one of the Predators’ best players lately, hence why I’m going with him to record over 0.5 points tonight.

Josi has been one of the best players on the planet since the end of December, racking up 42 points in his last 33 games. What’s even more impressive is that he was only held pointless in seven of those outings and heads into tonight’s matchup on a four-game point streak, tallying a total of eight points during that span.

With points in 13 of his last 16 games against the Panthers, it’s easy to love this Josi-based prop tonight.

Best Predators vs Panthers Prop Bet: Roman Josi o0.5 Total Points (-136)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Predators vs Panthers NHL picks today over at BetOnline

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