The BB&T Center is playing host to an intriguing showdown as the New York Rangers take the ice against the Florida Panthers. It’s the third and last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. This Eastern Conference matchup will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, and it will be broadcasted live on MSG2.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (-180) is being picked as the big favorite over New York (+160) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -130 for the over and +110 for the under.
New York is 13-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.2 units this year. Through 28 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and none have pushed. The Broadway Blueshirts are 3-10 SU as an away team in 2018-19.
New York has converted on 19.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 20th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, New York has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 30.5 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (9-12-3) has been the primary option in goal for New York this year. If head coach David Quinn decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Alexandar Georgiev (4-4), who has a .899 save percentage and 3.37 goals against average this year.
Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider will both lead the way for the visiting Rangers. Zibanejad has 25 points on eight goals and 17 assists, and has recorded multiple points six times. Kreider has 14 goals and eight assists to his credit, and has logged a point in 13 games.
On the other side of the ice, Florida is 11-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 27 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 6-8 SU at home this year.
Florida has converted on 26.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Panthers have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer has denied 23.6 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for Florida. Reimer has six wins, 11 losses, and three overtime losses and has registered a fairly-weak .893 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average this season.
The Panthers will be led on offense by Jonathan Huberdeau (seven goals, 24 assists).
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers Betting Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner \u2013 Panthers, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Notes
- New York is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 1-2 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Florida’s last five outings.
- New York has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 38.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Over New York’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-5 in those games).
- New York skaters have dished out the fifth-most hits in the league (25.3 per game).
