Panthers vs Penguins Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Pittsburgh Powerless to Stop Panthers

A pair of the best defensive teams in the league hit the ice at PPG Paints Arena, with the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night.

The Panthers are a short road favorite in the NHL odds, and they’re cruising along an active 6-1 stretch while limiting opponents to just 10 goals during the heater. There haven’t been as many wins for the Penguins of late, but they’ve only allowed seven goals across their past four games.

Looking ahead, Florida is trading among the favorites in the Stanley Cup odds, while Pittsburgh needs to string together wins in bunches just to punch a postseason ticket. Can taking down the Cats on home ice kickstart a late-season surge for the Pens?

Here’s our breakdown with free NHL picks and analysis of the NHL player props for Panthers vs. Penguins showdown on Wednesday, February 14.

Panthers vs Penguins odds

Panthers vs Penguins predictions

Good luck finding a 5-on-5 weakness with the Florida Panthers. They rank second in Corsi For percentage (57.0%) and goals against per 60 minutes (1.91) while allowing the fewest expected goals per 60 (2.25). Additionally, the Cats mitigate spending the fourth-most minutes shorthanded per game (5:39) with a sixth-ranked 82.7 penalty-kill percentage.

Surprisingly, and despite ample proven power-play performers, the Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t been taking advantage of the man advantage this season. The Pens sport a 30th-ranked 13.9 power-play percentage. Also, Pittsburgh ranks a mediocre 13th in goals per 60 (2.55) at 5-on-5 despite sitting third in expected goals per 60 (2.89).

For comparison, Florida hasn’t been an offensive juggernaut at 5-on-5 with a 24th-ranked 2.31 goals per 60, but they do slot right behind Pittsburgh with a fourth-ranked 2.89 expected goals per 60. The Cats have done significantly more damage with the man advantage with a sixth-ranked 24.9 PP%, too. Add Florida ranking fifth in goals for percentage (54.71%) and second in expected goals for percentage (56.22%) at 5-on-5, and there’s even further evidence of that there aren't many shortcomings.

Another calling card for both teams has been high-end goaltending with Pittsburgh ranking fourth in team save percentage (.913), and Florida checking out with a sixth-ranked .909 mark. The Panthers have already confirmed Sergei Bobrovsky is starting, and he enters with a .953 save percentage and 1.47 GAA during an active four-game winning streak. There hasn’t been an announcement from the Penguins yet, but both Tristan Jarry (.916 SV%, 2.44 GAA) and Alex Nedeljkovic (.917 SV% and 2.63 GAA) have been solid this season.

Finally, my numbers give a larger edge to the Panthers than the available moneyline odds, so I’m happy to back Florida. I’ll also be playing the Under 6 in this one.

My best bet: Panthers moneyline (-125 at DraftKings)

Panthers vs Penguins same-game parlay

Panthers moneyline

Under 6

Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points

+575 at DraftKings

I’m anticipating both teams to continue playing solid defense in front of sound goaltending, so I'm adding the Under as the second leg of this same-game parlay to accompany my best bet.

Turning to Sam Bennett, he’s mired in a four-game point drought despite being on the ice for 6.44 expected goals — the most among Florida forwards. The Panthers have switched their lines up, and Bennett is projected to center longtime winger Matthew Tkachuk and newcomer Nick Cousins. Swapping Carter Verhaeghe for Cousins is a blow, but Bennett and Tkachuk have still clicked for a rock-solid 4.42 goals per 60 minutes the past two years.

A similar SGP through bet365 with the Under 6.5 goals is priced at just +450, and if you’re not as confident in the Bennett leg, the Panthers moneyline and Under is still trading at a healthy +218 through DraftKings.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Panthers vs Penguins moneyline and Over/Under analysis

There has been a 10 cent early move to the Florida moneyline since the Panthers opened at -115 through DraftKings. It’s a consensus shift in the odds, and Florida is as short as -130 at FanDuel. I also suspect we’ll see this number continue moving toward the Panthers. They’re an analytic darling, and Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang (undisclosed) is questionable after leaving Monday’s practice.

In addition to the highlighted excellent defensive metrics and goaltending statistics for both teams, I also value this Under 6 because FanDuel is hanging the number at 5.5. Both teams have also been trending to the Under, and as discussed, offense isn’t a strong suit for either club.

Panthers vs Penguins betting trend to know

The Under has hit in five of Pittsburgh’s past six games at PPG Paints Arena, and Florida has played to the Under in 10 of its past 12 road contests. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Penguins.

Panthers vs Penguins game info

Panthers vs Penguins latest injuries

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