Posted at 3:30 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle  +196 BET365 +200 Sportsinteraction +190   888Sport +195

Montreal +200 over Florida

7:05  PM EST. OT included. The Panthers are sliding into the postseason, having won just two of their last nine games. The Cats currently sit second in the Atlantic, two points behind Boston for first and four up on Toronto with seven games to play. Florida last played last night against the Maple Leafs where they dropped a 6-4 decision, which makes this the Panthers' third game in four nights. Going back to March 23, this will be the Cats' sixth game in 11 days. Florida made an unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Finals last season; it has played a ton of hockey of late, and the Cats know just how hard the grind is in the postseason. We’re not suggesting they're coasting, but with home-ice advantage becoming less important over time, the difference between first, second, third, or hell, even one of the Wild Card spots (from where Florida made its run last season) is relatively insignificant.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens are playing their best hockey of the year now that the pressure is off and they are in a position to be the spoiler for those teams looking to improve their postseason standing. The Habs have won three of their last four, with the loss coming in their last game on Saturday night against the Hurricanes. There is no shame in losing to a team as strong as Carolina, and after getting shut out 3-0, Montreal figures to have a bad taste in their mouths, so motivation should not be an issue. The Habs catch the Panthers potentially running on fumes after a brutal run and they are taking back an inflated price while doing it. That’s a bet.

Sherwood

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