Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers Betting Picks

Being 10 points out of a playoff spot, the Panthers can't wait any longer to make a move if they have any hope of winning the Stanley Cup for the third consecutive season. Now, Florida draws Columbus, which is 12-2-1 since the hiring of Rick Bowness. The Blue Jackets have been living dangerously, though, winning each of their last two games by one goal. They blew a four-goal lead against the Rangers and had to win an overtime this past Monday, and then needed a third-period comeback to nip Nashville, 3-2, two days ago. Columbus had lost its previous two games. The Panthers have dominated the Blue Jackets, winning the past nine times against them. Florida has big-time scorers with Sam Reinhart, who is on pace for a fifth straight 30-goal season with a team-best 28 goals, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett. The Blue Jackets could be short-handed. Star defenseman and Norris Trophy candidate Zach Werenski has missed the past two games with illness, and captain Boone Jenner missed the last game as well. Werenski is the only NHL defenseman with at least 20 goals and 60 points on the season. Take the Panthers.

Defending champion Florida is 22-10-2 at home but far less dominant on the road where they're 19-14-1. This is their fifth consecutive road contest, looking road-weary late in the season on a 1-3 slide. The Panthers were a -210 favorite at Boston but lost 3-2, were a -210 favorite again at Montreal but lost 3-1, and come off a 4-2 loss at the Islanders as -155 chalk. Columbus is 20-9-4 at home and plays its fourth straight on home ice. The offense is eighth in shooting percentage and in goals scored (3.24 per game). Play Columbus. 

Florida has won the past six meetings and the Panthers come into this game riding a four-game heater after ending Tampa Bay's eight-game win streak with a 2-1 victory on Monday. The Panthers have allowed only 10 goals in seven games and they have won eight of nine home contests. Florida is 52-11 at home against teams with road winning percentages of less than .400. They have gone UNDER four of five and Columbus has stayed UNDER six of seven after scoring two or fewer goals its previous game. Sergei Bobrovsky is confirmed for this game and he is 26-13-2 with a 2.68 goals-against average with three shutouts. Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins has a 3.02 GAA. Florida has won nine of 10 home games against the Blue Jackets. Take the Panthers and the UNDER.