The Florida Panthers will get another chance to close out their first-round NHL playoff series on Thursday night as they host the New Jersey Devils in a deciding Game 7 of their best-of-seven set.
The Devils paid off on the NHL betting lines in Game 6 on Tuesday night, winning 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Travis Zajac. Martin Brodeur had to make just 14 saves in the victory for New Jersey.
The Panthers look to join the Capitals and Flyers as underdog Sportsbooks in this first round of the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers are 38-26-18 so far on the season. The Devils, meanwhile, are 48-28-6. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Florida go 31-37-14 and the Devils go 37-34-11 on the totals.
View New Jersey vs Florida Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had installed the Panthers as +110 moneyline underdogs in this particular NHL matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 5 before betting started to move the line.
Power Rankings:
According to new NHL Power Rankings here, it's the No. 22-ranked Panthers and the No. 8-rated Devils in this matchup.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Florida's No. 25-ranked offense (2.5 goals per game) against a Devils defense that ranks No. 8 at 2.5 goals per game allowed. The Panthers Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.5% rate while the Devils have a 89.6% rate on the penalty kill.
Last time out for Florida, they were a 3-2 loser as they battled the Devils on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Devils at -160 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game PUSH for totals bettors.
New Jersey Devils Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 0-10
Before playing Buffalo are 2-8
After playing Florida are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
Florida Panthers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 5-5
After playing New Jersey are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few Devils at Panthers trends to consider:
New Jersey is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Florida is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Florida is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games
