Florida Panthers (17-9-2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (13-12-1)
Panthers vs. Oilers 12/16/23 – Saturday will feature an intriguing match-up between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, both with impressive records respectively. Scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at Rogers Place and broadcast via ESPN+, fans and bettors looking for free NHL picks are eagerly awaiting this matchup where Florida brings their road game experience against an Oilers squad that has proven resilient in recent weeks.
The Florida Panthers boast one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by center Sam Reinhart’s 17 goals and 37 points. Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe provide secondary scoring with 28 and 23 points respectively. This offensive firepower should test an Oilers defense that has struggled at times.
Conversely, the Edmonton Oilers counters with the league’s top two scorers in Connor McDavid (38 points) and Leon Draisaitl (33 points). Both forwards convert over 14% of their shots into goals, posing problems for Sergei Bobrovsky and the Panthers defense. Evan Bouchard adds offense from the blueline with 30 points.
Panthers vs. Oilers 12/16/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Rogers Place |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Goaltender Stuart Skinner
Through 21 starts, Sergei Bobrovsky compiled a strong 13-7-1 record along with a 2.45 goals against average. His .911 save percentage sits slightly below his career rate but remains a solid mark. He handles the puck well and covers the bottom of the net effectively. The veteran excels at tracking the puck through traffic and staying square on initial shots. Where he can be vulnerable at times is rebound control – something the Oilers may look to exploit with tips and screens in front. If he can control his rebounds and swallow up those dangerous second chances, the Panthers goalie should negate much of Edmonton’s scoring talent in this matchup.
In the opposite crease, Stuart Skinner young goaltender took over the starting duties in late November. He provided a spark initially but some cracks in his game have emerged across a larger sample. Through 20 starts, his pedestrian .892 save percentage reveals inconsistency from night to night. He has quick lateral mobility but still needs to refine his positioning and angles, often getting caught too deep in his crease. The Panthers will also test his glove hand which has been spotty. If the Oilers netminder can elevate his play closer to his early season form, he gives his team a fighting chance. But he remains an uncertain commodity between the pipes at this stage of his career.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds are yet to be announced, the matchup seems evenly poised with the Panthers’ stronger overall record countered by the Oilers’ recent upswing in form. Bettors should watch for updates on the odds, which will provide more insights into the expected outcome of the game.
Florida Panthers Betting Trends
The Panthers are an impressive 9-6 against the spread (ATS) on the road this season. Florida also trends over the total away from home, going over in 7 of 13 contests. With Edmonton’s weak defensive numbers, a high-scoring affair on Saturday is likely.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Trends
Edmonton plays over the total often at Rogers Place, doing so in 8 of their 14 home matchups this season. However, the Oilers have struggled to cover at home with a 4-8 record ATS. Edmonton allows the 6th-most goals per game at home (3.79) so the Panthers should put up their fair share.
Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers 12/16/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing the trends and capabilities of both teams, this game promises to be a closely contested battle. The Panthers’ offensive might, balanced by the Oilers’ home advantage and scoring ability, makes for a challenging prediction.
The better pick might tilt towards the Panthers, considering their overall stronger performance this season. However, the Oilers’ recent form and home game strength could upset the odds. Leading handicapper tips might suggest looking at the over/under for total goals, given both teams’ scoring trends, and individual player prop bets, especially focusing on the teams’ key players.
This prediction leans slightly towards the Panthers due to their offensive consistency and goaltending strength. However, the Oilers’ capacity to surprise, especially at home, makes this an intriguing and potentially close game.
Free Pick and Prediction: Florida Panthers 4, Edmonton Oilers 3