Blackhawks vs Panthers Picks & Props

It’s just the preseason, but Bedard racking up 18 shots and 27 attempts across four games has my attention. He’s traded at a 3.5 shot total in the past and is rarely priced in plus-money territory at 2.5, too. Obviously, on the surface this is a tough matchup against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, but the Panthers are missing key pieces up front to start the year.

It's very possible that the Panthers come out sluggish on their banner-raising night. This is a team with a few key injuries, and the Blackhawks' young core should be desperate to erase the stink of last year. I expect Bobrovsky to be busier than most would expect him to be. 

Dating back to last season, Knight boasts a .908 SV% and 2.64 GAA over his past 24 starts. With the added motivation of facing his former club, Knight should be able to hold his own against a wounded Panthers lineup.

The Florida Panthers begin their title defense at home vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, and the odds tell you all you need to know about this one. Florida is returning all its key cogs for this season, and they should pick up right where they left off, and that's dominating on home ice. The Blackhawks can't be any worse than last year, but they still have a long way to go in the Connor Bedard era.