The Boston Bruins are in the midst of a six-game losing skid. Things aren’t getting any easier for them as they have to take on the defending champs in their own building Saturday afternoon.
My Bruins vs. Panthers predictions see a struggling pivot getting back on track against a vulnerable Boston team.
Let’s break things down further with my NHL picks for January 11.
Bruins vs Panthers prediction
My best bet
Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points (-113 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Sam Bennett started this season in the best way imaginable. He piled up 26 points over his first 27 games, hitting the scoresheet in 22 of them. He was a model of consistency centering the second line, which is all you can hope to be in a contract season.
Bennett has since stumbled into a brick wall. He has gone pointless in 12 of his past 13 games and hasn’t scored a goal in 16 straight.
While there is obviously room for improvement if you go through a drought to that extent, Bennett has been stung by poor puck luck as much as anything. Let’s focus on the past 13 games, in which Bennett picked up just one point.
He generated 61 shot attempts, 36 scoring chances, 15 high-danger opportunities, and 3.81 expected goals as a shooter — not to mention all the shots teammates generated off rebounds or passes from Bennett.
As a team, the Florida Panthers piled up 281 shot attempts, 125 scoring chances, 46 high-danger opportunities, and a whopping 13.97 expected goals during Bennett’s minutes.
All of that amounted to just five goals. Five goals scored on 14 expected. I don’t care if we’re talking about Bennett or Joe from the corner store — if someone is on the ice for that volume of opportunities, more than five should find the back of the net.
Florida converted on just 4% of their shots with Bennett on the ice the past 13 games. His lowest on-ice shooting percentage as a member of the Panthers is 8.61%, so that puts into perspective how badly the Panthers underperformed.
Sure, crazy things can happen in relatively small samples, and part of it could simply be regression after Bennett’s unsustainably strong start. But the pendulum has swung too far the other way of late.
Bennett still centers the second line, he still plays on a line with star winger Matthew Tkachuk, and he’s now facing a goaltender (Jeremy Swayman) who has drastically underperformed this season. It’s a good spot to turn the tide.
Bruins vs Panthers same-game parlay (SGP)
Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points
Matthew Tkachuk Over 0.5 points
Sam Bennett 2+ shots on goal
Tkachuk is starting to heat up after hitting a bit of a rut in his own right. He has three points over his past three games and is coming off a multi-point effort against the Utah Hockey Club last time out.
Tkachuk has had the Boston Bruins' number in the past, hitting the scoresheet in 17 of the past 24 head-to-head meetings while averaging more than a point per game along the way.
He correlates with Bennett at 5v5 and also skates on the top power play, which is an important factor against a 25th-ranked Bruins penalty kill.
A lack of conversion hasn’t stopped Bennett from shooting. He’s recorded multiple shots in 80% of his games this season and 85% when playing on home soil.
He should mostly avoid the matchup against David Pastrnak’s line, freeing him up to exploit a Bruins forward core that lacks depth.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bruins vs Panthers odds
Bruins vs Panthers live odds
Bruins vs Panthers opening odds
- Puck line: Boston +1.5 (-168) | Florida -1.5 (+145)
- Moneyline: Boston +158 | Florida -185
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-116) | Under 5.5 (+101)
Bruins vs Panthers trend
Sam Bennett had two points in his only other home game against Boston this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Panthers.
How to watch Bruins vs Panthers
| Location: | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-11-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ABC |
Bruins vs Panthers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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