N.Y. Rangers vs. Florida Panthers Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The New York Rangers face the Florida Panthers in a matchup between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers have a 42-20-10 record and with seven wins in their last 10 games, they have the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. The Panthers have a 36-29-7 record and are only a few points out of wild card position but hope t rebound from back-to-back losses. Both teams are looking to improve in the playoff picture and the upcoming game should be a great one.

Rangers have looked great on both ends of the ice

The Rangers are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.32 goals per game including 26 goals in the last six games. Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Vincent Trocheck have scored 70 goals and 138 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Chris Kreider, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko have combined for 65 goals and 57 assists while defensemen Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller have combined for 19 goals and 84 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.

The offense has been great but the defense has stepped up as well, allowing only 2.68 goals per game with only six goals in the last five games. Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren have combined for 10.0 defensive point shares and 199 blocked shots while K'Andre Miller, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider have combined for 10.7 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been great with a .914 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average n 1540 shots with 14.5 goals saved above average.

Panthers hope defense can improve

The Panthers are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.47 goals per game. Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and Aleksander Barkov have combined for 89 goals and 137 assists to lead the top two lines but the entire offense has stepped up. Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and Eetu Luostarinen have contributed 59 goals and 74 assists while defensemen Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling have added 23 goals and 73 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.42 goals per game with 12 goals in the last two games. Montour and Forsling have combined for 7.9 defensive point shares and 174 blocked shots but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots n the net at will. In addition, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled with a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average on 1398 shots with -3.1 goals saved above average.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

Insiders Status:

Rating:

The Panthers are looking to bounce back on their home ice but the Rangers are having a great season and look to control this game on both ends of the ice. The Rangers, who average 3.32 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will against the Panthers, who allow 3.42 goals per game, with Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with great puck movement near the net. The Rangers, who allow only 2.68 goals per game, should limit the Panthers' offense with Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Igor Shesterkin to make plenty of big saves. The Rangers should win the game with a strong performance on the road.

Take the Rangers money line as home Favorites.

Prediction: Rangers (-105)

Full-Game Total Pick

Insiders Status:

Rating:

Both teams have great offenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both forward units stepping up and finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Panthers, who average 3.47 goals per game, should constantly find the back of the net with Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Rangers, who have scored 26 goals in the last six games, should run up the score against the Panthers, who have allowed 12 goals in their last two games, with Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller pick apart the Panthers defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.

Take the Over on 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Over 6.5

Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.