The Florida Panthers visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in what promises to be an entertaining Eastern Conference matchup on the NHL schedule today. The Panthers are looking to get back into the playoff picture. In contrast, the Rangers look to solidify their hold on third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Panthers vs Rangers odds suggest the Rangers have the upper hand. However, this night could be a long one for the Panthers if they don’t show up ready to face the hard-hitting Rangers lineup.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers Odds
The Rangers are the moneyline favorites among NHL picks today. New York is third in the Metro Division with 57 points in 46 games. Their 25-14-7 record seems good enough to be higher in the standings. However, the Rangers have faced fierce opposition from the surprising New Jersey Devils and the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.
Artemi Panarin leads the New York Rangers stats on offense with 47 points. Mika Zibanejad has netted 20 goals while the team has been getting elite play from Norris Trophy-winning blueliner Adam Fox. The Rangers have the tools to take this matchup in regulation against Florida tonight.
The Rangers have won three of their last five matchups. However, they took a tough 3-1 loss against the Boston Bruins and an unlikely 2-1 defeat against the struggling Montreal Canadiens.
The Rangers need to bounce back and have a strong performance following the loss to Boston. Fortunately, the Rangers do not currently show any players from the active rosters on their NHL injury report.
The Panthers Have Been Inconsistent
The Florida Panthers have been inconsistent at best this season. In the NHL standings, they’re fourth in the Atlantic Division with 51 points in 48 games. The Panthers have a lower point total than the Rangers and have three powerhouse clubs, the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning leading the division.
Off-season blockbuster acquisition Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers’ NHL player stats with 59 points and is tops on the team in assists with 35. The Panthers have won four of their last five NHL matchups. Their lone loss was a 5-4 defeat in overtime at the hands of the Maple Leafs. The Panthers look to take the Rangers on early. However, injuries to key players have hampered the Panthers, and this is shown in the Panthers vs Rangers odds.
The Panthers currently have center Eric Staal on injured reserve. Florida has also listed center Sam Bennett as day-to-day. But the most significant injuries are to workhorse defenseman Aaron Ekblad (day-to-day) and starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has struggled this year, posting 12 wins with a 3.24 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers Information
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Date: Monday, January 23. 7 PM EST.
Location of the game: Madison Square Garden. New York, NY
How to watch: NHLPP | ESPN+
Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers Betting Preview
Projected Starters
For the Rangers, incumbent Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin should draw the start. He’s posted 20 wins on the year with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He’s played well, though not entirely up to his Vezina-caliber season from a year ago.
For the Panthers, backup Alex Lyon should be between the pipes with starter Bobrovsky out. Lyon’s NHL stats this season show he’s notched two wins to go with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. His last start was a 5-3 win against the Minnesota Wild. Expect Lyon to draw more starts, as Bobrovsky is expected to miss at least two more games due to a lower-body injury.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers Betting Preview
The NHL odds for this matchup stack up as follows:
Moneyline: Florida Panthers (+105), New York Rangers (-130)
Puck line: Florida Panthers +1.5 (-233), New York Rangers -1.5 (+185)
Over/under: over 6.5 (-125), under 6.5 (+102)
In looking at the Panthers vs Rangers odds, expect the score in this game to be close early. However, the Rangers should pull away thanks to their high-octane offense. They also have the edge in goaltending, with Shesterkin making the start. However, the Panthers’ Lyon will have his work cut out in this game.
While he’s played well against the Wild, the Rangers have several offensive weapons that may prove too much for Lyon and the Panthers’ defense.
In one of today’s most exciting NHL picks, expect the Rangers to top the Panthers with a total of over 6.5 goals.
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