Week 3 of the 2021-22 NHL season starts Monday, October 25, with the interconference showdown from FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, so here’s the best Coyotes vs. Panthers betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and betting trends. 

Florida is a massive -345 moneyline home fave to beat the Coyotes, who sit at +300 to win straight up. The totals are listed at 6.0 goals on BetOnline Sportsbook, so let’s take a closer look.

The Yotes aim for their first win of the season 

The Arizona Coyotes are off to a disappointing start of the 2021-22 campaign, falling to 0-4-1 following a 3-0 defeat at the New York Islanders this past Saturday. The Yotes wrapped up a three-game homestand and will play the next five games on the east coast.

Over their previous three showings, the Coyotes have scored just five goals while surrendering 15 in a return. They own the worst defense in the NHL, yielding a whopping 4.80 goals per game. Also, the Yotes have already conceded seven goals on 11 power-play opportunities.

Karel Vejmelka has guarded the cage in Arizona’s last two games. The 25-year-old rookie posted 26 saves in a 5-1 defeat to Edmonton and 21 stops in that 3-0 loss to the Islanders. Carter Hutton is expected to patrol the crease against the Panthers, and he’s 0-2-0 with an 8.75 GAA and a .702 save percentage in a couple of outings this season.

The Panthers hope to stay perfect  

The Florida Panthers improved to 5-0-0 on the season following a 4-2 road victory at the Philadelphia Flyers this past Saturday. Winger Jonathan Huberdeau led the way with a couple of goals and an assist, helping the Panthers to overcome a 2-1 deficit and satisfy the odds as -145 favorites.

Florida has scored four goals in each of its previous three outings. The Panthers have the third-best scoring defense in the NHL, allowing only 1.80 goals per game, and they’ve conceded just four goals on 26 power-play opportunities thus far.

Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start between the pipes Monday, and he’s recorded a superb 1.99 GAA and .942 save percentage over his previous four starts in 2021-22. The 33-year-old goalie was 19-8-2 with a 2.91 GAA and .906 save percentage last regular season.

Trends:

Arizona:

  • 5-17 in the last 22 games overall
  • 2-5 in the last seven games against Florida
  • 1-4 in the last five games against the Eastern Conference

Florida:

  • 13-4 in the last 17 games overall
  • 5-1 in the last six home games against Arizona
  • 4-1 ATS in the last five games overall  

Arizona Coyotes vs. Florida Panthers Pick

The Panthers have done an excellent job through their first five contests. They’ve outlasted some tough teams, including the Colorado Avalanche and the reigning NHL champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hereof, the Panthers shouldn’t have any problems beating the struggling Coyotes if they stay focused and take this clash seriously.

Florida has covered a 1.5-goal spread in four of its previous five showings. The Coyotes have been awful on the defensive side of things, so I’m taking the hosts to win by two or more goals.

Pick: Take Florida Panthers -1.5 at -155         

The Total:

As I’ve mentioned a few times, Arizona has struggled mightily thus far. The Coyotes are scoring just 1.60 goals per game and will have a mountain to climb against the Panthers’ stout defense. The visitors will have to take a patient approach and try to hit Florida through counter-attacks, hoping their defense will do a much better job in this one.

The totals look like a tricky bet, as Florida could easily shut down Arizona. On the other hand, the Panthers are only 3-for-22 with the man advantage and could easily break out of their funk against the Yotes’ leaky defense.

Pick: Go over 6.0 goals at -102