The Florida Panthers' middling offense faces a stiff test Sunday at PPG Paints Arena, where they'll try to solve a Pittsburgh Penguins team that's been scoring at a far better clip. With the Panthers averaging 2.92 goals per game on the road and the Penguins boasting a 3.46 goals-per-game average at home, the matchup promises to pit Florida's stout defensive structure against Pittsburgh's multifaceted scoring attack. The Panthers' recent scoring form has been decent, led by Sam Reinhart's 61 points, but they'll need to navigate a Penguins team featuring Sidney Crosby's 67 points.
Pittsburgh's high-powered offense does come with some vulnerabilities, particularly on the penalty kill, where the Penguins have managed an 81.7% success rate. The Panthers, meanwhile, have struggled to capitalize on their power-play chances, converting at a 19.8% rate. With the Penguins favored by 1.5 goals and the total sitting at 6.5, the question becomes whether Florida can stifle Pittsburgh's offense enough to remain within striking distance. The Panthers are dealing with injuries to Dmitry Kulikov (day-to-day) and Aaron Ekblad (out), which could further complicate their defensive efforts. Make your pick or follow the discussion on StreakChat.