Florida vs. Rangers: NHL Match Prediction
On December 31, the calendar year ends for teams from Florida and New York on the ice of Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers have suffered two defeats in a row on their home court. For the first time since 2003, Paul Maurice team failed to score at home in two games in a row. The Cops continue to fall and are already in the basement of the conference table. The Rangers were recently among the leaders of the East, but have been demonstrating weak results for a long time. What will the match be like? Read about it in the forecast

Command Analysis

Florida Panthers

Current form
Florida has lacked consistency during the current regular season, but even so, Paul Maurice team is in fourth place in the conference standings. The Panthers have earned 46 points in 37 starts, but they could easily overtake Toronto and return to the top three in the near future. Before the Christmas break, Paul Maurice men won at home against St. Louis (2:1, OT), and then were stronger than Tampa (4:2) at home. Aleksander Barkov team was routed by the Lightning in the first game of the home series (0:4) and could not score against Montreal (0:4), returning after the holiday. The hosts made a huge number of shots at Samuel Montembeault goal, but they were let down by poor execution of their chances.
The "Cats" lack consistency in their attack. In their last eight games, they have failed to score a single goal four times, while in the previous six games they have scored 17 accurate shots. Sam Reinhart remains the Panthers' leading scorer with 45 points (22+23) in the "goal+assist" system. At the moment, the forward ranks 12th in the league list of the most productive hockey players.
In the second half of December, the club from the state of the same name has not been performing well on its half of the court and in general cannot boast of reliable play during this season. Sergei Bobrovsky has reflected only 89.55% of shots on his own possessions and made only one shutout in 24 games.
Disqualifications and injuries
Johan Gadjovic will not play against the "cops". Niko Mikkola participation is in doubt.
Interesting trends for betting
- Florida is averaging 3.41 goals per game.
The Panthers have been showing a productive attack this season, and in recent matches they have greatly improved their scoring.
- The Panthers are blocking 16 shots per game.
The hosts regularly help their goalies, but this does not always save the team from conceding goals.

New York Rangers

Current form
New York started the season well and was among the conference leaders at the beginning of the regular season. It seemed that the Cops would fight for the highest places, but in the second half of November, everything changed. The visitors began to lose one match after another and are now in terrible shape. Artemiy Panarin team occupies the 14th place in the East and may end up in last place if they continue to lose points. The Rangers have only 33 points after 35 starts. The Blueshirts earned only six points in December. Before the break, they lost at home to Carolina (1:3), and the current away tour began with defeats to New Jersey (0:5) and Tampa (2:6).
Peter Laviolette men have stopped scoring. In the last nine games, they have scored only 13 goals, which is an unforgivably weak result. Artemi Panarin remains New York top scorer with 38 points (16+22) on the goal+pass system. The Russian was once among the top ten scoring players in the league, but in the last seven games he has earned only one point.
Igor Shesterkin signed a huge contract during the season, but it hard to say he fully living up to it. The goalie has stopped just 90.76 percent of shots and has recorded just one shutout in 26 starts. The visitors have conceded 17 times in their last five games and have been weak defensively since Jacob Trouba left.
Disqualifications and injuries
Matt Rempe won't be helping his teammates in Florida.
Interesting trends for betting
- New York averages 2.80 goals per game
The Cops have not shown a strong level of attacking play since the very start of the season.
- The Rangers average 9.29 penalty minutes per game.
Guests are sent off more than four times on average per game.
Trends
Bet 2nd period: total over 1.5 goals
The Rangers' last three games have featured high-scoring second periods
1.52Bet 1st period: Florida will score
The Panthers have scored against the Cops in the first period in six of their eight games.
1.45Tip and bets
Florida has lost its last two games on home ice by a combined score of 0:8 and for the first time since 2003 has failed to score in two games on home ice in a row. The Panthers have a chance to end the calendar year on a high note, as the weakest team in the league at the moment will be visiting. The Rangers have slowed down so much that it is hard to believe that the Cops will win against one of the conference leaders. Peter Laviolette charges have big problems and the recent results of the visitors are not accidental.
Our prediction is Florida to win at 1.87
Bet on individual total
The Panthers have scored 17 goals in their last six games and have taken advantage of their chances very well. Now they will be determined to make up for two disappointing home games with their fans. The Rangers are conceding a lot of goals and Igor Shesterkin is not helping his teammates. On average, the red light behind the Cops' goal is lit at 3.09 goals per game this season.
Forecast - Florida individual total over three goals for 1.67
Bet on total
The last games involving the "cops" were extremely productive. Meetings between opponents are usually not very bright and often turn out to be boring. Now we think that both teams will open up, that each of them needs a victory from a psychological point of view. We expect at least six accurate shots from the hockey players. Let play a bet on the total over goals.
Forecast - total over 5.5 goals for 1.72