Utah Jazz vs
Florida PanthersPredictions & Preview

Utah Hockey Club Faces Florida Panthers in Cross-Conference Battle, Panthers Favored for Victory

On Friday, March 28, the 2024-25 NHL season will feature six games, including a cross-conference battle at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL between the Hockey Club and Panthers. The Panthers previously defeated the Hockey Club 4-1 in January and are now favored at -255 for the upcoming matchup. The current betting line has Florida as -248 favorites. This game is one to watch for NHL picks on Friday night.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Jazz +210 | Panthers -248
• Spread: Jazz +1.5 (-130) | Panthers -1.5 (+110)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Florida will win straight-up is 71%.

Utah vs Florida Stats

Utah Jazz

Prior to Thursday's game, the Utah Hockey Club embarked on a three-game road trip starting with a match against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a successful homestand, the team experienced a loss to the Detroit Red Wings, despite outshooting their opponents. Dylan Guenther scored his 26th goal of the season, while Karel Vejmelka had a tough game in goal. Jaxson Stauber was set to start in the next game after Vejmelka's performance. Utah currently sits eight points behind the bottom wild card spot in the Western Conference, ranked 22nd in offense and 19th in defense. They have a power ranking of 13, with a season record of 32-28-11.

Florida Panthers Analysis

The Florida Panthers have faced recent struggles with a 3-4-0 record in their last seven games, but managed to secure a victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout. Sam Reinhart played a key role in overcoming a 3-1 deficit with two goals, while goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky's strong performance helped secure the win. Bobrovsky is expected to start in the upcoming game against Utah. The Panthers are tied for the top spot in the Atlantic Division and boast solid offensive and defensive stats. Though missing key players like Matthew Tkachuk and Dmitry Kulikov, the potential addition of Brad Marchand could provide a boost to the team. Overall, the Panthers have a power ranking of 3 and impressive offensive and defensive rankings. Utah has had recent success against Florida, winning their last three matchups.

Hockey Club Faces Tough Challenge Against Reigning Stanley Cup Champions on Second Night of Back-to-Back, Panthers Poised for Victory

The upcoming matchup presents a challenging situation for the Hockey Club as they are set to face the reigning Stanley Cup champions on the second night of a back-to-back. Conversely, the Panthers have had ample time to prepare for this game, having had four days to strategize and train. Given these circumstances, the likelihood of an upset by Utah appears slim. Sergei Bobrovsky has been in exceptional form this month, boasting a 6-2-0 record, a 1.50 GAA, and a .935 save percentage. His performance could prove to be a decisive factor in the outcome of this game. Florida's offense has been struggling recently, placing increased pressure on their defense and starting goaltender to deliver a strong performance.

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