NHL: Nashville Predators vs Florida Panthers Preview
Predators On a 13-0-2 Run, Face Top Team in NHL Power Ranking

The Nashville Predators (40-25-4, 84 points) get to put a cherry on top of their 15-game unbeaten streak with a win against the Florida Panthers (45-19-4, 94 points). The Predators are securely in the top wild-card spot, trailing the third-place Stars by seven points but leading the Vegas Golden Knights by five.
The Panthers trail the Boston Bruins by three points for the Atlantic lead with two games in hand. NHL betting odds show Florida as a -192 favorite with a total of 6.5 (over -120). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT from Amerant Bank Arena and can be seen on ESPN+ and HULU.
Let’s start our Predators vs Panthers preview with a look at Nashville from a betting perspective.
Predators vs Panthers 
Day/Time:
Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Streaming: ESPN+/HULU
Nashville Passes Test Against Sharks
With tonight’s match-up on the horizon, the Nashville Predators could have easily looked past the San Jose Sharks Tuesday as a -445 favorite but instead crushed the Sharks 8-2 after trailing into the second period.
With San Jose leading 2-1 with just over 14 minutes left in the second period, Las Vegas-raised Jason Zucker beat goaltender Magnus Chrona to tie the score at two, and then at the 4:34 mark of the second period, Michael McCarron gave Nashville the lead for good at 3-2, which ended up being the second goal of a 7-0 run over the final 24:34.
It’s not strange to see the Sharks lose, but if you’re a Predators fan, it’s good to see the Preds overcome some adversity on their way to Thursday’s showdown.
With their recent run, Nashville is in the black for bettors with 7.46 units won which ranks fifth in the NHL. As a road underdog, the Predators are 12-11 (+4.54 units) making only the Philadelphia Flyers a better plus-money road dog wager (+6.35 units).
Panthers Still Perched on Top of Power Rankings
The Boston Bruins may have taken back the lead in the Atlantic Division, but we still think the Florida Panthers are the best team in hockey which is why they still have the top spot despite losing their last two games to Tampa Bay (5-3) and at Carolina (4-0).
The Panthers have a winning record against the top 10 hockey teams (10-9) and are 17-14 against the upper half of the NHL. As good as teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers are, neither can make that claim with losing records in both categories.
The Panthers will be rested after not playing since Wednesday, but that’s an advantage itself because Florida will get some much-needed practice time, a rarity during the NHL season.
Those who watch this team daily will tell you that the record may say they’ve only lost two games, they have not played well over their last five games. A win Thursday may have a few more fans around the league penciling in the Panthers to be part of the Stanley Cup Finals schedule.
Panthers Win In Low Scoring Battle
We won’t go against the Panthers at home, but we’re not going to lay -192 to get behind them either. So, off to the totals we go with what appears to be an easy cash-out. Both teams come in knowing they need to be better on the defensive end after Florida allowed five goals to the Lightning and 12 in their last three NHL games.
They can’t play the same undisciplined hockey they’ve given us in pockets against Nashville who has averaged over five goals a game in their last three. We look in the other direction when I see two teams that scream over statistically.
In what will be one of the more entertaining NHL scores tonight, we think this one cashes an even money under ticket. That does it for our Predators vs Panthers preview, all the best with your NHL picks and parlays on Thursday.
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