BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -½ +169 BET 365 -½ +165 SportsInteraction -½ +165 5DIMES -½ +165

Posted at 2:35 PM EST.

7:05 PM EST. It’s been almost two years and five straight games since the last time the Panthers beat the Jackets and that, among other things, has had influence on the price here, as the number keeps on rising. We are not quite sure why the Jackets keep getting all this love in the market, not just today, but just about every game, for a team that has done jack forever. When these two teams met back in Florida in October, Columbus won 5-4 but were clearly the second best team on the ice. Roberto Luongo was injured at that time and the Jackets were able to score five times on 33 shots. The Jackets are 6-6 over their last 12 games with losses to Los Angeles, Detroit, Anaheim, the Rangers, Arizona and Chicago over that span (not exactly the cream of the crop) but they’re priced like they’re kicking ass.

The Panthers ran into a hot Brian Elliott last game, dominated for the first two periods and hung on for a 2-1 victory over the Flyers. Florida has won five in a row while outscoring their opponents 19-7 over that span. All of this coincides with the return of Luongo and while there is likely some regression coming in Luongo’s .956 SV%, we’ll worry about that when the Panthers are favored. On a roll and playing well and confident too, we’ll take our chances on this live and very warm underdog.

Therefore:

OT included - Florida +105 for 1 unit.

Regulation only - Florida -½ +169 for 1 unit. 

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