The Florida Panthers (4-3-1) take on the New York Rangers (5-0-1) Thursday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Panthers won 2-0 in regular season and 4-2 in playoffs
The Panthers were flattened in a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild Tuesday. They’ve traded wins and losses over the last 4 games. C Sam Bennett netted his 5th goal of the season. LW Matthew Tkachuk returned after nearly a 2-week absence due to illness and had an assist, 2 SOG and 5 hits.
After losing their season opener in overtime, the Rangers have won 4 straight, and all of them were by multiple goals. The latest was a 7-2 laugher against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday. C Filip Chytil put 2 in the back of the net to give him 3 on the season.
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Panthers at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Panthers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rangers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers +1.5 (-200) | Rangers -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Panthers at Rangers projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (3-2-1, 3.47 GAA, .875 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (4-0-1, 1.98 GAA, .932 SV%, 1 SO)
Bob was pulled Tuesday night after giving up 5 goals in 2 periods, stopping 11 fired his way. He has allowed 3+ goals in 4 straight and 5 of 6 this season. He hasn’t been confirmed, and this one could ultimately go to Spencer Knight.
Shesterkin has been rock solid aside from a 6-goal performance against Utah Oct. 12. He stopped 21 of 23 fired his way Tuesday against Montreal. He was 1-1-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .898 SV% in 2 starts against the Cats last year.
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Panthers at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Panthers 2
Moneyline
The only concern that I have at press time is that neither goalie has been confirmed. Only Shesterkin has props available, and that’s enough for me to determine where we’re going here. The Rangers win, but they’ve won 4 straight by a combined 20-6 score.
PASS, and take the spread.
Puck line/Against the spread
Here are the final scores of the Rangers’ 4 wins this season: 4-1, 5-2, 4-1 and 7-2. Meanwhile, the Panthers have lost 3 multi-goal Games out of 4 this year.
Take the RANGERS -1.5 (+170).
Over/Under
The Over is 6-2-0 for the Panthers thus far, and the Rangers are 3-2-1 O/U. This Over would hit in the last 3 regular-season meetings between the teams, and I’m all about OVER 5.5 (-120).
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