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Four points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers host the lottery-bound Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds.

The Blackhawks continue trudging to the finish line, losers of five of their past six games and languishing in second-last place overall, two points up on Columbus. Don't be surprised to see "Connor Bedard" Google searches surge in Illinois over the next couple of months.

The Panthers, on the other hand, still have playoff aspirations, entering Friday hot on the heels of the Penguins for the second wild-card playoff spot (though Pittsburgh has a game in hand). Florida is on a two-game winning streak and still has four games remaining on a seven-game homestand that could ultimately decide its postseason fate.

Here is our best Blackhawks vs. Panthers NHL pick (odds via FanDuel; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Blackhawks vs. Panthers pick

Carter Verhaeghe Over 3.5 shots on goal (+100 via FanDuel)

When the moneyline gets as expensive as it is for Florida on Friday, you'll find better value in other markets – and I see a potentially massive edge here.

Verhaeghe has recorded at least four shots on goal in 11 of his past 12 games at FLA Live Arena, combining for 11 total shots in back-to-back wins over Vegas and Pittsburgh. He has also taken the sixth-most shots on home ice of any player since the All-Star break (38).

This is the standard set by Verhaeghe's line with Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett. That trio is averaging 47.92 shots per 60 minutes, the most of any line that has played together for at least 100 five-on-five minutes, according to Evolving Hockey

On top of that, the Blackhawks are a porous defensive side, ranking 31st with 36.0 shots against per 60 minutes away from the United Center.

FanDuel has a Verhaeghe anytime goal at +160 if you're feeling more adventurous – but my focus is on a shot prop that removes the risk of a goaltender impacting the results and focuses instead on Chicago's reliably deficient defensive play.

Check out our latest Hart Trophy odds.

Blackhawks vs. Panthers best odds

FanDuel (+100) 

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMPointsBet
Carter Verhaeghe Over 3.5 shots on goalCarter Verhaeghe Over 3.5 shots on goalCarter Verhaeghe Over 3.5 shots on goalCarter Verhaeghe Over 3.5 shots on goal
+100+100 +100-110

Three of our four best sportsbooks have Verhaeghe to go Over 3.5 shots on goal at even money, which is reasonably better than PointsBet. More importantly, my price for Verhaeghe to go Over this shot prop is -220, so all of these sportsbooks are offering significant value.

Check out our Rocket Richard Trophy odds and Norris Trophy odds.

Blackhawks vs. Panthers odds

Check out our Calder Trophy odds.

Blackhawks vs. Panthers odds analysis

FanDuel opened with the Panthers as massive favorites at -430, compared to the Blackhawks at +330. 

With 76% of the consensus moneyline wagers on Florida, the line just keep going in the Panthers' direction. Florida is now at -490, which indicates a greater than 83% implied probability for the win, while the Blackhawks are at +365.

The total opened at 6.5, with opening odds at -122 for the Over and +100 for the Under. Even though 64% of the money is coming in for the Over, the line has shifted in the other direction. The Under is now -118 with the Over at -104. 

Blackhawks vs. Panthers game info

  • Date: Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS, BSFL, NBCSCH
  • Location: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Fla.

Blackhawks-Panthers pick made 3/10/2023 at 12 p.m. ET.

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