Bruins vs Panthers Picks and Prediction – 1/11/2025

The Florida Panthers will face the Boston Bruins in Sunrise, Florida, at the Amerant Bank Arena. Florida, coming off a strong 4-1 victory against Utah, sits at 25-15-2 overall and boasts a solid 12-8-1 home record. Boston, struggling at 20-19-5 overall, has faced difficulties on the road with an 8-12-2 away record, dropping the last five games, including a 4-0 loss to Edmonton. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Bruins' offense revolves around David Pastrnak, who has tallied 17 goals and 25 assists this season. Justin Brazeau has provided a spark recently, scoring four goals in the last 10 games. Boston has averaged only 2.55 goals per game while allowing 3.16, a troubling disparity. The power play is operating at a low 12.2% success rate, and the penalty kill has been inconsistent at 76.6%. In goal, Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo have been shaky, posting save percentages of .893 and .892, respectively.

Defensively, Boston has been porous, allowing 27.4 shots per game and struggling with penalty discipline, leading to 469 penalty minutes. Injuries have compounded issues, with Hampus Lindholm, David Pastrnak, and others battling day-to-day concerns. The recent five-game skid highlights a team in need of a defensive overhaul.

The Panthers’ offense is led by Sam Reinhart, who has 23 goals and 24 assists, and Aleksander Barkov, adding another 25 assists. Florida has been more productive offensively, averaging 3.26 goals per game. The power play, converting at a robust 25%, is a key strength. The Panthers’ special teams play is supported by the penalty kill success rate of 81.3%, better than Boston’s.

Defensively, Florida has been steady, allowing 3.05 goals per game and 27.5 shots per game, numbers that reflect a well-rounded approach. Sergei Bobrovsky anchors the net with an impressive .903 save percentage and a 2.69 GAA, giving the Panthers a reliable last line of defense. Injuries, including the day-to-day status of Matthew Tkachuk and Jesper Boqvist, could test Florida’s depth but are less impactful given the Bruins' struggles.

The Panthers' offensive firepower, combined with Boston's defensive and goaltending woes, sets the stage for a decisive Florida victory. Expect Bobrovsky to outduel Swayman, and the Panthers’ power play to exploit the Bruins' penalty issues. Final Score Prediction: Florida Panthers win 5-2.