NHL Hockey Betting: Winnipeg Jets at Florida Panthers

For some reason, everyone in the hockey ecosystem was convinced that the Florida Panthers would fall apart after their franchise record ten game winning streak ended. It didn’t quite happen that way. The Panthers have kept on winning and at 5-3-2 have taken points in 7 of their last 10 games. They maintain a 5 point advantage over in-state rival Tampa Bay (who are tied for second along with the Boston Bruins) and have a good chance to pick up some points tonight as the underachieving Winnipeg Jets come to call. The Jets are coming off a tough overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday night and are 4-5-1 in their last ten games. They’re currently in last place in the brutal Central Division–they’re 8 points back of the sixth place Minnesota Wild so they really can’t use the high competitive level of their division as an excuse. They’re just four points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for the worst record in the Western Conference.

Head coach Paul Maurice looks like he’s been through hell and back and in a way he has. This is a team that was expected to be in solid contention for a playoff spot this year but has fallen far short of that goal. Given the brutal division they play in its almost impossible to fathom a scenario by which they make the playoffs and in process pass teams like Nashville and St. Louis. He’s been without starting goaltender Ondrej Pavalec for much of the season (although it did give highly touted prospect Connor Hellebyuck a chance to play) and will be without leading goal scorer Brian Little for tonight’s game (he’s ‘day to day’ with a neck injury).

The Panthers have slipped a little in recent games losing 5 of 7 but against tough competition–the losses have come to Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis, Nashville and San Jose. They’ve done a decent job taking care of business against losing teams this year with a 15-9 record and should have little trouble with a Winnipeg team that is 12-15-3 on the road. Roberto Luongo returns from a minor injury tonight and a goal from Jaromir Jagr will tie him with Brett Hull for third on the NHL’s all time list.

BET FLORIDA PANTHERS -140 OVER WINNIPEG JETS