Rangers vs Panthers Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight - NHL
The Florida Panthers host the New York Rangers at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday in a bout between a pair of favorites in the Stanley Cup odds.
Despite the Rangers roaring in with a league-leading 24 wins, it’s the Panthers carrying home chalk in the NHL odds. Both teams bookmarked the holiday break with wins, and each of their No. 1 goaltenders are in top form.
Interestingly, it’ll be New York backup Jonathan Quick starting Friday, though. The veteran will look to bounce back after losing for the first time in regulation a week ago. Quick has been solid when called upon and sports a high-end .920 SV% and 2.27 GAA.
Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will take respective .911 and 2.48 marks to the opposite crease, and he’s been even better of late with a .931 SV% while winning three of his past four starts.
The similarities don’t end there. With Blueshirt captain Jacob Trouba (upper body) projected to be in the lineup after exiting Wednesday’s game, both teams will also have their full defense corps jumping the boards and each have strong penalty-kill units.
Here’s my full breakdown and free NHL picks and NHL player props for the Rangers vs. Panthers showdown on Friday, December 29.
Rangers vs Panthers odds
Rangers vs Panthers predictions
This is an interesting Game to handicap because the odds for both the moneyline and total have seen notable movement since opening, and there is also a wide range in the available prices.
The New York Rangers opting to start Jonathan Quick has been the main cause for the line movement, and his game-to-game inconsistency can’t be overlooked. His numbers jump off the page at first glance, but he’s also allowed 3+ goals in six of his 11 starts and has a 45.5 quality-start percentage.
His Jekyll and Hyde play is concerning because the Florida Panthers are at full health and relentlessly attack while driving possession. The Cats rank third in Corsi For percentage (56.8%) while generating the fifth-most expected goals (2.86) per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
Additionally, I'm expecting some puck luck to begin breaking in Florida’s favor. The Panthers have the third-lowest team shooting percentage (7.0%) at 5-on-5.
I also don’t value the Rangers as highly as most. The Rangers rank ninth last in expected goals against (2.7), don’t drive possession (49.5 CF%), and have allowed more goals than they’ve scored at 5-on-5. Statistically, this is a mismatch favoring Florida.
So, while we missed the best price for the Panthers, my numbers are still showing value on that side. I'd price Panthers ML at -156, so there’s still a positive expected value of 5% compared to the -138 odds at FanDuel.
My best bet: Panthers moneyline (-138 at FanDuel)
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Rangers vs Panthers same-game parlay
Panthers moneyline
Under 6.5
Carter Verhaeghe to record 3+ shots
Even with the downgrade in goal for the Rangers, I'm not expecting the Panthers to kick their poor puck luck in a single night.
New York has masked its ho-hum underlying statistics to a league-best record, after all. Additionally, Florida has been an elite defensive club with the fourth-fewest goals (2.08) allowed at 5-on-5 and an eighth-ranked 83.3 penalty-kill percentage.
Before Quick was announced as tonight's starter, the Under 6.5 goals was my best bet for this Game.
Turning to Verhaghe, I have him projected for 3.68 shots, so it’s a nice final leg. I'd price him to record 3+ shots at -137, and the high-volume shooter has recorded 3+ in 10 of his past 12 Games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rangers vs Panthers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
This is the first matchup between the Rangers and Panthers this season, and there’s been steady action on the Florida moneyline.
The Cats opened as a -125 favorite through bet365, and they’re trading at -150 as of Friday afternoon. There are plenty of better numbers available through other sportsbooks, but the line movement has been consistent industry-wide.
It’s also important to reinforce the adjustment in the odds aligns with the announcement that Quick would be starting for New York.
There's a wide range in prices and totals available for this game, too. It’s trading at both 6 and 6.5, and there are outlier numbers to target and fade. The best odds for the Under 6.5 are through SIA.
Rangers vs Panthers betting trend to know
The total has gone Under in each of Florida’s past five games. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Panthers.
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Rangers vs Panthers game info
| Location: | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL |
| Date: | Friday, December 29, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG2, Bally Sports Florida |
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