Our prediction: Panthers moneyline @ -250, and Over 5.5 goals @ -135. Florida (8-5-2) host Chicago (4-10-1) at Amerant Bank Arena on Wednesday 4 November, 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Blackhawks arrive on a six-game road losing streak with the NHL’s 31st-ranked defence. More daily picks sit on our NHL predictions and tips page.
The card
| Market | Our pick | Line | Confidence |
| Moneyline | Panthers | 250 | 72% |
| Total | Over 5.5 goals | 135 | 58% |
| Puck line | Panthers -1.5 | 106 | 56% |
| Best bet | Panthers moneyline | 250 | 72% |
Team news
Florida Panthers have won three of their last four and are averaging 3.8 goals over their last ten games (6-4-0). They are 3-1-0 at home. They are still without Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Brad Marchand (leg), who have both resumed skating but are several weeks from returning, and Jonah Gadjovich is also out. Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones have kept the offence ticking over in their absence.
Chicago Blackhawks have lost three straight and six of their last seven, and they are 3-6-1 over their last 10. They have conceded 58 goals this season, 3.9 per game, which is 31st in the league, while scoring just 23 in their last 10 and converting 4 of 35 on the power play. Connor Bedard has 10 points in nine games and Roman Kantserov leads the team with six goals, but Patrick Kane is out with an upper-body injury after leaving the last game in the second period. Bowen Byram is day to day and Ryan Ellis is out for the season.
Why we’re on Florida
This is a team in form against one in free fall. Florida are the better side by results and goal difference, and Chicago have lost six straight on the road while giving up nearly four goals a game. Florida have also covered the puck line in seven of their last ten at home, and as of late October six of Chicago’s seven losses had been by three goals or more.
The risk is the lineup. Without Barkov and Marchand, Florida have given up chances, and they are 1-3-1 when opponents outshoot them. That, plus a moneyline price of -250, is why the puck line is the better-value way to back them: Panthers -1.5 at -106 pays far more than the moneyline for a team we expect to win by two.
The over comes from the Chicago defence. A team allowing 3.9 goals per game and facing a Panthers side that scores 3.8 should see Florida reach four on their own, and our projection is Panthers 4, Blackhawks 2, which is exactly six goals. The caution is that Chicago are scoring only 2.3 per game over their last 10, so the over relies on Florida, and -135 is a steep price for a number we clear by only half a goal. Treat it as a smaller play.
Best bets summary
Safe: Panthers moneyline @ -250
Value: Panthers -1.5 @ -106
Total: Over 5.5 goals @ -135
Expected score: Panthers 4, Blackhawks 2
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FAQ
Who is favoured in Panthers vs Blackhawks? Florida are heavy home favourites at -250 on the moneyline, with Chicago at +205. We are backing the Panthers.
What is the over/under for Panthers vs Blackhawks? The total is 5.5 goals. We project 6 goals and recommend the over.
Is Patrick Kane playing vs the Panthers? No, he is out with an upper-body injury suffered in Chicago’s last game.
Are Barkov and Marchand playing for Florida? No. Both are out and are several weeks from returning.
What time is Panthers vs Blackhawks? Wednesday 4 November, 7:30 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise. It is on TNT.
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