Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 12/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

The New Jersey Devils (21-6-2) host the Florida Panthers (14-12-4) at Prudential Center on Saturday.

The Florida Panthers were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-0 win over the Blue Jackets their last time out. The Panthers had a solid offensive output and it showed in the win. In the matchup, they netted 4 out of the 26 shots they tried. Furthermore, they had 3 power play tries but weren't able to make the most of them. Florida amassed 6 penalty minutes for this matchup.

At even strength, the Panthers have surrendered 72 goals while getting 80 themselves. Florida Panthers opponents have recorded 115 power play opportunities (3rd in professional hockey) and have racked up 25 goals in those attempts. When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Florida Panthers have accumulated 101 goals (10th in the NHL) for the season and have given up 97. Florida has taken 1,123 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.0%. For the season, they sit with 32 points and their points percentage comes in at .533. The Panthers thus far have had 942 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .897. Florida has tallied 112 power play chances and they have added 21 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 18.75%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Sergei Bobrovsky. For his career, Bobrovsky has accrued 336 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .567. He has a save percentage of .915 during his 35,024 mins in the crease. Bobrovsky has had 17,847 shot attempts against him and has recorded 16,336 saves. Opponents have scored 1,511 goals against Bobrovsky in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.59. He has amassed an overall mark of 342-195-49 and he has started in 593 games. Bobrovsky has taken the ice for 609 contests throughout his NHL career.

When they were on the ice last, New Jersey opposed the Stars in an outing where the Devils ended up taking the loss by a score of 4-1. They had 2 power play chances in this one but weren't able to notch a goal. The Devils scored 1 goal out of the 36 shots on goal they took.

For the season, the New Jersey Devils are sitting with 104 goals, 44 points, and a points percentage of .759. They have permitted 71 goals to be scored by of a combination of 54 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they were shorthanded. The Devils have earned 86 goals at even strength and 18 goals (24th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 89 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 20.22%. New Jersey has put up 1,007 shots (4th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 10.33%, while allowing the other team 773 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 81.32% on their oppositions 91 tries on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 90.8%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Vitek Vanecek defending the goal. Vanecek has earned a lifetime record of 53-24-12 and has played in 98 games. Vanecek's quality start rate sits at 51.1% and he has made 47 quality starting assignments in his career. He has gathered 2,374 saves out of 2,613 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .909. The opposition is averaging 2.63 goals per contest and he has allowed 239 goals altogether. He has started in 92 contests and his ice time sits at 5,461 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take New Jersey

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