On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the Florida Panthers face off against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Let’s break down the matchup and explore the best betting options for this game.
Matchup Recap:
The Montreal Canadiens won the only previous meeting of the season, a dominant 4-0 victory in Florida on December 28, 2024. However, Florida has won seven of the last 10 matchups between these two teams.
Florida Panthers Overview:
The Panthers come into this game after a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, improving to a strong 41-22-3 record for the season. They continue their road trip with a matchup against the New York Islanders next.
Panthers Recent Form:
Florida has been in great form, winning seven of their last eight games. Key players like Sam Reinhart (70 points), Aleksander Barkov (60 points), and Matthew Tkachuk (57 points) have been leading the charge. Sergei Bobrovsky’s solid goaltending (28-14-2, 2.49 GAA) has also been a critical factor in their success.
Why Florida Will Win:
- The Panthers have been dominant recently, winning seven of their last eight games.
- The Canadiens have struggled, losing three of their last four games.
- Florida has covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games at Bell Centre.
Montreal Canadiens Overview:
Montreal enters this game following a 5-4 overtime loss to Seattle. Despite the loss, they’re looking to bounce back in front of their home crowd before heading into a matchup with the Ottawa Senators.
Canadiens Players to Watch:
Nick Suzuki leads the team with 69 points, including 49 assists. Cole Caufield’s 32 goals make him a consistent offensive threat. In goal, Sam Montembeault has been solid with a 23-21-4 record and a 2.87 GAA.
Why Montreal Will Win:
- Montreal has won three straight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Panthers have struggled as road favorites against Eastern Conference teams, losing four of their last seven.
- Montreal has consistently covered the puck line, especially as underdogs.
Key Player Prop Facts for Montreal:
- Nick Suzuki has scored in three straight home games.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has been impressive at home against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts:
- The last six Panthers games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of Montreal’s last eight games following overtime have gone UNDER.
- Three of the last four meetings between these teams have gone OVER the total goals line.
Prediction:
I’m picking the Panthers for the win. Florida is in excellent form, and despite Montreal’s potential to keep it close, the Panthers’ depth and recent play make them the stronger team. Expect a competitive game, but Florida should take the road victory.