Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/26/2024

by Rod Pearson

Thursday, Jan 25, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, January 26, 2024
Venue:  PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA 
Where to Watch:  ESPN+


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Panthers -118, Penguins -102; Over/Under:  6.5 goals
Bet365:  Moneyline:  Panthers -118, Penguins -102; Over/Under:  6.5 goals
BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Panthers -118, Penguins -102; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Season Record

Florida Panthers:  29-14-4 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
Pittsburgh Penguins:  21-17-6 (7th place, Metropolitan Division)

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Recent Form
Florida Panthers:  6-2-2 last 10
Pittsburgh Penguins:  4-4-2 last 10



Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Analysis


The Panthers are entering this game with 62 points, a 29-14-4 record overall, and they are 15-7-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Arizona Coyotes in their last game, winning that one at home 6-2. Matthew Tkachuk led the team in goals scored with 2 while Anton Lundell, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, and Jonah Gadjovich each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Carter Verhaeghe led the team in assists with 3 while Sam Bennett led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Sergei Bobrovsky was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 33 shots with 31 saves and a .939 save percentage. Their offense has scored 152 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 123 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.


The Penguins are entering this game with 48 points, a 21-17-6 record overall, and they are 11-8-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Arizona Coyotes in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-2. Sidney Crosby and Lars Eller each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Erik Karlsson, and Evgeni Malkin each led the team in assists with 1 while Sidney Crosby led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Tristan Jarry was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 26 shots with 22 saves and a .846 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 133 goals this season averaging 3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 121 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.


Panthers vs Penguins Prediction

The current betting odds have the Panthers listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Panthers have looked great in their games this season with their 29-14-4 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the East. They have been a well balanced team this season too and have been great in their road games with their 15-7-2 road record. Meanwhile, the Penguins have looked terrible in their games this season with their 21-17-6 record overall which has them right near the bottom of their division in the East, sitting in 7th place. They haven't been at their best lately either as they have been slipping down the standings in the East. They have no real home advantage either as they have an 11-8-2 home record this season and they are only 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, coming off a bad loss against Arizona in their last one. The Panthers have been the hotter team coming into this one with their 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games and they have the momentum on their side as they just rolled Arizona in their last game. These two teams are headed in different directions right now with the Panthers being one of the best teams in the NHL. The best way to place a bet here is on the Panthers to win this game. 

Panthers Penguins Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Friday, January 26, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Panthers 3 Penguins 2.
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NHL Betting Trends


Florida Panthers: 146-96 (+7.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 42-19 (+14 units) on the moneyline off a home win scoring 4 or more goals. 28-18 UNDER in all games. 16-7 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 11-5 UNDER after scoring 3 goals or more in 3 straight games. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: 21-23 (-9.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 45-44 (-10.4 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent. 24-25 (-11.4 units) on the moneyline after 2 or more consecutive losses. 25-17 UNDER in all games. 8-2 UNDER off 2 or more consecutive road losses. 7-1 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive losses.

Key Injuries


Florida Panthers:  W. Lockwood (RW) Elig Sat - Suspension. N. Cousins (C) Out indefinitely - Concussion.

Pittsburgh Penguins:  R. Smith (RW) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. J. Ludvig (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. M. Nieto (LW) Early March - Knee.


Notable Quotes


“I've had a bunch of numbers, but they don't necessarily resonate a whole lot, but for whatever it was, today's did. That's a lot of really good people I've worked with and it's also a lot of games that my family has had to grind to just as much as me and everybody else. Pro sports is a wonderful place, but not a particularly forgiving place to work. So, to get to that number, I would say it's special to me.” - Paul Maurice after his team’s win against the Coyotes in their game on Wednesday.


“It just seemed like when we did get some traction in the game, we get the second goal, for example, and we got some juice, but then we get one up a minute later. That’s demoralizing.” - Mike Sullivan after his team’s loss against the Coyotes in their game on Monday.


Starting Lineups


Florida Panthers
LW Rodrigues, Evan
C Barkov, Aleksander
RW Samoskevich, Mackie
LD Forsling, Gustav
RD Ekblad, Aaron
G Stolarz, Anthony

Pittsburgh Penguins
LW Guentzel, Jake
C Crosby, Sidney
RW Rust, Bryan
LD Pettersson, Marcus
RD Letang, Kris
G Jarry, Tristan

Statistical Leaders


Florida Panthers
Points: S. Reinhart (60)
Goals: S. Reinhart (35)
Assists: A. Barkov (36)
GAA: A.Stolarz (2.12)

Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: S. Crosby (48)
Goals: S. Crosby (27)
Assists: J. Guentzel (27)
GAA: T. Jarry (2.56)

Coaches:
Florida Panthers: Paul Maurice (2nd season)
Pittsburgh Penguins: Mike Sullivan (9th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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