Devils vs. Panthers Odds, Picks, Predictions: Slumping Ekblad Presents Value
The Florida Panthers have the New Jersey Devils on their dance card Wednesday at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. New Jersey has lost six straight and is also playing its second road game in consecutive nights. Read on for our Devils-Panthers best bet based on the odds.
I have to admit: Aleksander Barkov has me flummoxed.
The Florida captain and No. 1 center sustained a lower-body injury during Saturday’s game against New Jersey; he exited the contest and hasn’t played since. His status for Wednesday’s game is huge because the Panthers are a lousy 2-4-2 with Barkov snacking in the pressbox.
Additionally, Barkov is also one of the few players in the league who could considerably move betting markets, so I'm cautious to recommend a side in this game given his uncertainty.
With that in mind, Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad has caught my attention in the points-prop markets for Wednesday’s top pick. After turning in a career-best showing last season, regression has plummeted Ekblad’s offensive numbers down to his prior level of production.
Here is our best Devils vs. Panthers pick (odds via Barstool Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our NHL best bets here!
Devils vs. Panthers Game Info
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Location: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Fla.
Devils vs. Panthers Odds
Check out our complete list of NHL odds here!
Devils vs. Panthers Odds Analysis
The moneyline opened with the Panthers a -135 favorite, and there hasn’t been a significant move. New Jersey was trading as high as +125, but +120 through PointsBet is the best number for the Devils across our top-rated sportsbooks as of Wednesday morning.
There’s been relatively balanced betting action on this 6.5 total with the Over carrying the higher vig. It’s worth noting FanDuel is on an island with -118 attached to the Over and -104 to the Under.
Devils vs. Panthers Pick
Aaron Ekblad Under 0.5 points (+118) ⭐⭐⭐
Even with New Jersey in the midst of a six-game losing streak and playing on the road for a second consecutive night, it doesn't check out as an opponent to target in points markets.
The Devils have allowed the fourth-fewest goals per game and rank sixth in penalty-kill percentage (81.4%). Additionally, they’ve wooed the fancy-stats crowd with the third-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five when adjusted for score and venue.
And with apologies to Mr. Ekblad, we’re not talking about an elite offensive defenseman here.
Ekblad ranks 31st in points per 60 among regular blueliners, and he’s only found the scoresheet in two of his past eight games. His 1.54 points per 60 are also way down from the unsustainably-high 2.25 mark he posted last season, and nearly identical to the 1.56 he posted across the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns.
The Panthers also aren’t scoring as many goals with the man advantage. Florida boasted the fifth-best power-play percentage (24.4%) in the league last year, but the Cats rank 26th with an 18.3 mark this year.
Receiving plus-money odds for a defenseman to fail to register a point against a sound defensive team is always a worthwhile value play.
Devils vs. Panthers Best Odds
| Pick | Barstool | BetMGM | Caesars | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet |
| Ekblad Under 0.5 points | +118 🔥 | +100 | N/A | -105 ❄️ | +104 | N/A |
Points props differ between sportsbooks, so it’s worth noting Caesars has a one-way market with Ekblad priced at -128 to register a point against the Devils on Wednesday. Barstool has the best odds available, and FanDuel is hanging the best number from our top-rated sportsbooks. You also gain a 5.3% edge by betting this Under prop through Barstool instead of DraftKings.
Where to Bet on Devils vs. Panthers
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
- FanDuel: Get a $2,500 No-Sweat First Bet Offer | Read our FanDuel Review
- Caesars: Earn a First Bet Offer of Up to $1,250 | Read our Caesars Review
- DraftKings: Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,000 | Read our DraftKings Review
- PointsBet: Earn Five First Bet Offer of Up to $100 Each | Read our PointsBet Review
- BetMGM: Get a First Bet Offer of Up to $1,000 | Read our BetMGM Review
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related Pages
Devils vs. Panthers pick made 12/21/2022 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
