Rangers vs. Panthers prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets Monday
Two of the NHL’s best — and hottest — teams will do battle at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Florida Panthers, winners of four straight and 14 of their past 16, take on the Rangers, who themselves are 11-1-1 in their past 13.
While the Cats and Blueshirts have nearly identical records (Florida is 41-16-4, while the Rangers are 40-17-4), these two teams have very different approaches.
Florida has been a five-on-five behemoth all season and plays a fast, physical game at even strength to get in on the forecheck and cause a ruckus in the offensive zone.
(7 p.m. ET, MSG)
The Panthers generate the second-most shot attempts in the league, but they don’t sacrifice quality for quantity like other teams do. Florida also averages the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this campaign.
But Florida’s terrific play isn’t just limited to even strength.
The Panthers also rank inside the top-10 in penalty killing and power play, and their goaltenders have been splendid all season.
The Rangers have a vastly different statistical profile.
The Blueshirts rank inside the bottom-10 in expected goals rate and high-danger scoring chance percentage at five-on-five, but they’re such a clinical offensive team and their goaltending is elite that it doesn’t matter.
The Rangers are happy to tread water at even strength and wait for a mistake to pounce on or for an opportunity on the power play to come.
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Against most teams, that approach works for the Rangers thanks to their elite skill and goaltending, but Florida can match the Blueshirts in both of those categories.
THE PICK: Florida Panthers (-110, BetMGM)
Michael Leboff analyzes the NHL for Action Network.
