The Florida Panthers (7-3-1) meet the Dallas Stars (6-2-0) at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, on Friday in an NHL Global Series game. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Stars odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Panthers won 2-0 in 2023-24
The Panthers head over to Finland with 3 consecutive victories, all on the road, while outscoring the opposition 14-6. The Over has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games, while the total has gone high in 8 of the 11 games on the season.
The Stars doubled up the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Saturday last time out as the total pushed (6) at most shops behind G Jake Oettinger. Dallas has managed 3 or more goals in 6 of 9 Games so far, while posting 3.1 goals per Game (GPG) to rank a mediocre 17th in the NHL. However, it is allowing just 1.9 GPG to rank 2nd in the league, and the penalty kill is 2nd, too, at 93.1%.
The Panthers played in the 2009 NHL Premiere series against the Blackhawks at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, splitting a pair of games. Florida also played in Helsinki against the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL Global Series in 2018, splitting a pair of games then, too.
The Stars appeared in exhibition games overseas, but the franchise has never appeared in a regular-season games internationally
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market Games, exclusive Games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Panthers vs. Stars odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 5:59 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Panthers -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Stars -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers -1.5 (+200) | Stars +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Panthers vs. Stars projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (5-2-1, 2.97 GAA, .892 SV%) vs. Jake Oettinger (5-1-0, 1.84 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO)
Bobrovsky has been very effective in his past 2 starts, allowing just 3 goals on 53 shots in a pair of road wins over the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. Bob has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 6 of his past 7 starts.
Oettinger has allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his 6 starts so far this season, winning 5 of those outings. His only shutout this season came in 1 of his 2 starts against an Eastern Conference opponent, the New York Islanders, on Oct. 12. He kicked aside a season-high 34 shots in that 3-0 victory in Dallas.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Panthers vs. Stars picks and predictions
Prediction
Stars 3, Panthers 2
Moneyline
The STARS (-110) are a solid play in the front end of the back-to-back series overseas.
We’ll play Dallas because of Oettinger, as he has been super consistent, allowing 3 or fewer goals in every outing to date.
The Panthers (-110) are 1-1-1 in 3 tries against Western Conference teams this season, getting outscored 11-7 in those outings. Bobrovsky is 1-0-1 in those 2 starts, both resulting in overtime.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Stars +1.5 (-250) will set you back 2 1/2 times your potential return if you’d like a little bit of insurance. That’s way too expensive, and even as part of a multi-leg parlay it makes very little sense.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-110) is worth a play in this NHL Global Series opener in Tampere.
We have 2 top-tier goaltenders playing at a high level this season, as Bobrovsky and Oettinger won’t allow much.
We’ll be playing against the season trends, as Florida has cashed high in 8 of 11 games to date. However, the Under is 5-1-2 across the past 8 outings, and with Oettinger, the Under is 3-0-2 in his previous 5 starts.
If you’re into online slots, including Sports-themed Games, then check out our guide and discover the best site for slot machines where you live.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
