Penguins vs Panthers NHL Eastern Conference Handicapping Call

Two National Hokey League clubs, headed in opposite directions, clash in the shadows of the Everglades as the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Florida Panthers for Eastern Conference NHL puck betting action tonight.

Florida allows a ton of goals while Pittsburgh has been filling the net with pucks on a consistent basis recently. Game time is slated for Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at 7:30 PM ET from the BB&T Center, in Sunrise, Florida.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Soaring high for a flightless bird

Unlike their namesake, the Penguins are flying high these days as Pittsburgh (13-6) have won ten of their past thirteen games. Included in that run is a 3-1 win at home over these same Panthers back on Friday night. Nearly a mirror opposite of the mark Florida is sporting, the Steel City Crew ranks second in league with a +17 GF/GA differential (Chicago +24). Penguins star centre Evgeni Malkin (21 points in 18 games) will sit out a second straight game with concussion-like symptoms.

Florida Panthers: Bad defense masks lack of offense in the Sunshine State

What do you get when you score three or less goals in twelve of eighteen games, while giving up three or more goals in fourteen contests over the same stretch? A record of 5-9-4 and a -23 goals against differential – a mark that’s good for last in the entire National Hockey League. That’s the boat Florida’s in as they’ve posted two five-game losing streaks while winning two straight games just once this season. Boston beat Florida 4-1 in the Panthers last outing on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh vs Florida Wagering Lines and Sportsbook Review Handicapping Call

Betonline.ag has the Pens as road chalk at -1.5 (+195) ATS and -147 on the money line. Florida is posted as home pups at +1.5 (-225) ATS and +134 S/U while the Over/Under is set at 5.5 pucks (O+114 U -126). While the absence of Malkin is a slight concern here, he was injured Friday night against Florida, the Pens are still loaded with talent. They proved that by dropping five goals on the Tampa Bay Lightning during a 5-2 win on Sunday. Revenge, with a W on the score-sheet, is in order for the hit on Malkin. Give us Pittsburgh with the -147 ML at the BetOnline sportsbook!