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Anaheim Ducks vs. Florida Panthers Pick
The defensive effort much be better from the Panthers as well. This just isn’t all on Luongo, because his numbers have slipped due to a lack of support. So, perhaps, more accurately, the Panthers have to get more from their blue line to be a playoff team. Aaron Ekblad was selected with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft and he’s going to have to start acting like it. Not a bad player by any means, but he has struggled to develop and get better.
Those things are a prerequisite as the first pick in the draft. While there have been struggles defensively for the Panthers, the offence has been keeping the team afloat. They are averaging 3.56 goals per game at home and 3.27 overall. That should be good enough to afford themselves better than a .500 record, but too many defensive lapses are hurting immensely.
Despite the win for the Ducks in Tampa last night, they have had difficulties on the road in 2018-19. The Ducks were 3-7-0 on the road before their win last night. They’ve scored less than 2 goals per game and are 30th in the league in scoring, so the Panthers have an opportunity to improve their defensive numbers. Florida also have the Ducks right in a spot that they were hoping. They’re coming off a big win last night and must turn around to play an inferior opponent the next night. I expect a letdown for the Ducks in this spot. I’d look at the Panthers to take advantage of a slow Anaheim team to get the win on Wednesday.