Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Florida Panthers. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the NHL’s games throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders versus Florida Panthers
Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight time)
TV: ESPN+, SCRIPPS, MSGSN
This matchup features two Eastern Conference opponents having opposite seasons going head-to-head. The Islanders sit sixth in the Metroplitan Division through 65 games played this season. Their record is 29-28-8 in those game which has them at 66 points. Meanwhile, the Panthers stand atop the Atlantic Division. In 67 games played their record is 41-23-3, good for 85 points. This will be the third and final meeting between these two this season. The Panthers have taken the first two games, with one in Florida and one on Long Island. This last matchup will be inside UBS Arena on Long Island where the Islanders will look to avoid getting swept this season series.
The Islanders Story
It has been a rough go as of late for the Islanders, losing their last three games. However, this can’t be too shocking as they elected to sell at this year’s trade deadline. Their most recent defeat came in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. It has been a struggle for them to produce anything on offence since they traded Brock Nelson away. They have scored only one goal in each of the last three games. This cold stretch has them ranked 30th in the NHL in goals with 173 on the season. Besides trading arguably their best goal scorer, the power play has been nonexistent all season. That unit has ranked near the bottom all season, currently in dead last at 11.7%.
Defensively this team has ranked in the middle of the pack all season. That is where they continue to be now as well, ranked 16th in goals against on the season with 193. Although it is hard to keep the opponent off the scoresheet when your team provides little to no goal support. This trend has left Ilya Sorokin out to dry recently. He has dropped his last two starts but has been better than the record indicates. In his last four appearances, he is 2-1-1 with a 9.33 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average. The season long numbers are good too despite the team in front of him. He is 24-20-5 with a .906 SV% and a 2.75 GAA.
The Panthers Story
This game will be the second of a back-to-back for the Panthers. They have been playing good hockey coming into this game winning seven of their last 10. However, the lost their game last night 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. The offence has been a big reason for their success this season. Scoring three or more goals in six of the last 10. With the 10th ranked power play in the league at 23.9%. They rank seventh in goals this season with 214. Led by team point leader on the top line, Sam Reinhart he has 70 in 67 games, he has six points over his last five games. Mackie Samoskevich has been playing well as of late in their top six. The 22-year-old scored last night and now has five goals and three assists over his last nine games.
The Panthers also sport an elite defence to go along with their offence. Ranking ninth in goals against with 180 on the season. Allowing only more than three goals just twice during the last 10 games. They do this with an effective penalty kill that ranks 11th in the league at 80.9%. Moreover, they do a good job at limiting high danger with 119 against, ninth in the league. Perhaps the most important reason for their good goals against numbers is elite goaltending. Starter Sergei Bobrovsky is 28-15-2 with a .906 SV% and a 2.51 GAA. With Bobrovsky starting last night the Panthers will turn to Vitek Vaněček. After posting career lows with the Sharks, he recorded a 21 save shutout in his first start with Florida.
NHL Predictions
In this matchup Florida holds every advantage, from offence to defence to special teams. They are the defending champions and among the leagues elite teams. The only advantages the Islanders have is their goalie because the Panthers starter won’t play. Also the fact that they are rested while the Panthers are on a back-to-back. However with these teams trending in opposite directions that rest and goalie advantage will not matter. With the loss last night, the Islanders present the perfect matchup for Florida to get back in the win column.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2
Prop Bets
Popular sports books have the Panthers as rightful favourites. You can take their money line at -152 and feel good about it. The over/under is set at 5.5, with the elite Panthers offence and their backup goalie in. We like the over at -128. As far as anytime goal scorers, for the Islanders take Bo Horvat at +200. He scored in the last game and with he and the team struggling, the team needs him to do better more consistently. For the Panthers take Mackie Samoskevich at +260. He has been hot as of late and scored just last night so look for him to do it again.
Main Photo: Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images
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