NHL weekend best bets: Panthers to start fast vs. Blackhawks

We have a disturbing two-game slate ahead of us Friday night, with both contests projected to be lopsided affairs. Thankfully, the NHL makes up for it with a 15-game whopper Saturday.

Let's look at a couple of my favorite plays for the next two days.

Blackhawks (+360) @ Panthers (-450)
Mar. 10, 7:00 p.m. EST

All signs point toward the Panthers trouncing the Blackhawks in this contest. Florida's underlying metrics are significantly better, the talent gap is substantial, and the club is desperate for points. Meanwhile, Chicago has more incentive to lose games than win them.

Unfortunately, there isn't much value in backing the Panthers - even on the puckline - in this spot. Luckily, there's a way to side with Florida while still getting value - the first-period market.

The Panthers are one of the better offensive teams in the league, and they generally start fast. They rank in the top 10 when it comes to scoring goals in the opening frame.

The same can't be said of the Blackhawks. They're notoriously slow starters, scoring a league-worst 40 first-period goals through 64 games.

That's not because Chicago has tried to play a low-event contest and keep things tight early. The Blackhawks have given up a ton of goals in the first period. Only the Canucks and Ducks have conceded more often in the opening frame this season.

With the Panthers feeling good about themselves following imperative wins over the Penguins and Golden Knights and every point holding so much value, I don't think they'll want to beat around the bush in this spot.

Expect Florida to come out and take the game to Chicago early.

Bet: Panthers first period -0.5 (-120)

Senators (TBD) @ Canucks (TBD)
Mar. 11, 10:00 p.m. EST

Save for a complete dud against the Blackhawks, the Senators continue to chug along in their quest for a wild-card spot.

The game turned into a sweat, but we successfully backed the Senators as road 'dogs Thursday against the Kraken. Ottawa generated 4.2 expected goals in the contest, which is no small feat against Seattle's usually stout defensive team.

Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, newcomer Jakob Chychrun, and the Sens' top players continue to drive the bus and prove too much to handle for the opposition nightly.

It hasn't much mattered that the bottom six lacks scoring punch and the ability to drive play. Ottawa has still won seven of 10 games and outplayed its opponent more often than not in the process.

I expect more of the same Saturday night against the Canucks. Even with the added structure under Rick Tocchet, I don't see Vancouver's defense holding up against all the firepower the Senators possess. I also don't see enough depth on the Canucks to exploit Ottawa's lack thereof in that area.

This matchup could also get a little sweaty, especially if Thatcher Demko is on his game. But when all is said and done, I expect the Senators to ride their lethal top six to another much-needed victory.

Bet: Senators ML (expected range: -130)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.