New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers Matchup Preview

betdsiArticles, Hockey, NHL

The BB&T Center is playing host an Eastern Conference matchup as the New York Rangers square off against the Florida Panthers. MSG Network will air the matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 4.

New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers Odds

The money line for either side is currently set at an identical -110 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under). Though the team is 5-9 straight up (SU) this season, New York has actually lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Eight of its contests have gone over the total, while six have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team this season, the Broadway Blueshirts are 1-3 SU. The Rangers have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances so far. That figure is up some from last season, when they were ranked 16th in the league by scoring on 18.4 percent of their extra-man chances. Their penalty kill has weakened slightly since last year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 81.2 percent of all opponent power plays (ranked 17th overall last season) to 80.0 percent this year. For the team as a whole, the Broadway Blueshirts have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, a number that has jumped some from the 3.4 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 7.8 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 9.5 minutes per matchup this season. Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .904 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (4-7-2) has been the best option in goal for New York this year. If it decides to give him a rest, however, head coach Alain Vigneault might turn to Ondrej Pavelec (1-3), who has a .887 save percentage and 3.64 goals against average this year. Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Shattenkirk will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Rangers. Zibanejad (14 points) is up to eight goals and six assists, and has recorded two or more points three times. Shattenkirk has two goals and nine assists to his credit (and has registered a point in eight games). Over on the other bench, Florida is 4-8 straight up (SU) and has earned -4.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 12 regular season outings, 10 of its games have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 3-4 SU at home. The Panthers have converted on just 17.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 71.4 percent of all opponent power plays. Panthers skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.9 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.1, the seventh-highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.9 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 12.2 minutes per contest this year. James Reimer has stopped 26.1 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Panthers. Reimer has three wins, six losses, and one OT loss to his name and has recorded a fairly-weak .890 save percentage and 4.00 goals against average this season. Evgenii Dadonov (six goals, eight assists) and Jonathan Huberdeau (five goals, nine assists) will lead the attack for Florida.

New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions

Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The total has gone over in four of Florida’s last five games.
  • Florida has allowed 4.3 goals per game this year, but is giving up 6.0 goals per matchup over its three-game losing streak.