Panthers vs. Rangers Odds
| Panthers Odds | -110 |
| Rangers Odds | -110 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Florida Panthers kick off what is a four-game road trip when they travel to New York to face off against the Rangers.
Florida comes into this matchup having won two straight games against the Capitals and Hurricanes, pushing its overall record to 10-0-1 on the season. Meanwhile, the Rangers are currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak and sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 6-3-3.
New York finally gets a chance to play on its home ice after completing a four-game road trip, but will that be enough to get past this dominant Panthers team?
Panthers Off to Nearly Perfect Start
The Florida Panthers have gotten off to a nearly perfect start in the 2021-2022 NHL season, with their only loss coming in overtime against the Bruins on October 30.
The offensive attack has been a huge reason for Florida's success in the early going. As a team, the Panthers are averaging 4.1 goals per game and have scored 26 total goals in 5-on-5 situations, both of which are in the top three in the league.
There is a small dropoff in Florida's xGF/60 as it comes into this matchup with 2.35 Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (14th in NHL) compared to its actual GF/60 of 3.06 (second in NHL), but this is a team that is more than capable of keeping this level of offense up.
The Panthers have also been a good team on the defensive end of the ice, coming into this matchup allowing the eighth fewest goals in 5-on-5 situations. In addition, Florida is allowing just 1.88 goals per 60 minutes.
Sergei Bobrovsky could potentially miss this game because of an upper-body injury, which leaves Spencer Knight as the most likely option in net. In 5-on-5 situations, Knight has an SV % of .909, HDSV % of .839, and -0.2 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) in five games. However, there is still a chance that Bobrovsky suits up and starts which would be great news for Florida as he has arguably been the best goalie this season.
Other notable injuries include Aleksander Barkov (Day-to-Day) and Sam Bennett.
Rangers Have Hit Rough Patch
After going on a streak that saw them win six out of seven games, the Rangers have hit a cold spell and have lost three straight games.
In that three-game span, New York has given up a total of 15 goals and has only scored seven. It has also allowed its opponent to score six goals in each of its last two games, showing it has been a little vulnerable on that end of the ice.
New York is ranked in the bottom half of the league in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), High-Danger Changes Against per 60 minutes (HDCA/60), and goals allowed in 5-on-5 situations. The Rangers have run into a tough stretch on defense recently, and they haven't exactly been great on that end of the ice this season.
The Rangers find themselves at the bottom of the league in several offensive metrics as well, ranking in the bottom seven in total goals for in 5-on-5, Expected Goals For per 60 minutes, and High-Danger Chances For per 60 minutes.
This team has had its fair share of struggles this season, which makes me question if it can keep up with this Panthers team.
Luckily for New York, Igor Shesterkin is expected to start in net. In 5-on-5 situations this season, Shesterkin has an SV % of .932, a HDSV % of .839, and 8.5 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Rangers vs. Panthers Pick
Despite potentially missing Bobrovsky and Barkov, I still feel comfortable backing Florida on the road. Both of those guys missed their last matchup against the Hurricanes, a game in which Florida won by a score of 5-2.
New York has hit a rough patch after losing three-straight games to the Canucks, Oilers and Flames. It will certainly be a tough task to get back on track against one of the top teams in the NHL this season.
I like the Panthers in this matchup regardless of who starts in net.
Pick: Florida ML (-110) | Play to -130
