Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders Prediction, 12/23/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders

Date: Friday, December 23, 2022

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-118) Islanders (-102)

The Florida Panthers (15-15-4) are traveling to UBS Arena on Friday where they will attempt to beat the New York Islanders (18-13-2). The line on this matchup has the Panthers at -118 and the Islanders are priced at -102. The total comes in at 7.

The Florida Panthers were on the losing side of the ice with a 4-2 defeat against the Devils in their last outing. Florida accumulated 41 penalty minutes in this game. The Panthers could have played much better offensively in the loss. Furthermore, they had 1 power play try and were able to score 1 goal. In the game, they scored on 2 of the 36 shots they put on goal.

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In terms of their scoring capabilities, the Florida Panthers have notched 112 goals (9th in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have given up 114. For the year, they have 34 points and their points percentage comes in at .500. Florida comes into the game with 121 power play opportunities and they have scored 23 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 19.01%. While at even strength, the Panthers have conceded 84 goals while having 89 themselves. Florida has attempted 1,261 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.9%. The Panthers have had 1,072 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .894. Florida Panthers opponents have totaled 128 power play tries (3rd in the league) and have come away with 30 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Sergei Bobrovsky. During his career on the ice, Bobrovsky has earned 339 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .569. His save percentage currently is at .915 for his 35,201 mins on the ice. Bobrovsky has had 17,949 shot attempts taken against him and he has 16,430 saves. The opposition has racked up 1,519 goals against Bobrovsky in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.59. He has an overall record of 343-197-49 and he has started in 596 games. Bobrovsky has been in net for 612 matchups throughout his pro hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, New York played the Avalanche in an outing where the Islanders got the tie by a score of 0-0. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal. The Islanders scored 0 goals out of the 26 shots on goal they tried.

The Islanders are sitting with 84 goals at even strength and 20 goals (24th in the NHL) while on the power play. New York has attempted 1,027 shots (17th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.13%, while allowing the opposition 1,067 shots. During this campaign, the New York Islanders have accounted for 104 goals, 38 points, in addition to a points percentage of .576. They have allowed 90 goals to be scored by way of 71 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 98 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.41%. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 81.00% on their opponents 100 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 91.6%.

On the other side of the ice you are expected to see Semyon Varlamov in the crease. His opponents are averaging 2.64 goals per game and he has conceded 1,443 goals altogether. Varlamov's rate of quality starts is 57.0% and he has 311 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He got the starting nod in 546 games and his ice time sits at 32,779 mins. Varlamov has a career mark of 269-214-63 and has participated in 572 contests. He has recorded 15,761 saves out of 17,204 shots tried, giving him a rate of .916.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Florida (-118)

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