Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. In today’s round of NHL Predictions, we are looking at the game between the New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-1 Panthers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN; Scripps Florida; NHL Network
We start NHL predictions with our featured game between the Rangers and the Panthers. It’s a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Final. However, both teams haven taken different paths this season. Florida has seemingly reloaded and looks to be a pretty solid bet for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
However, it’s not the same for the Rangers, who are struggling mightily this season. New York is 2-8 in the last 10 and lost the last three games coming into this one. Birthday boy Igor Shesterkin is the expected starter for the Blueshirts. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Adam Fox leads the club in assists with 26, but Artemi Panarin is first goals (16) and points (38) for New York.
Florida will go with Sergei Bobrovsky in this one to try and stop a two-game losing skid. However, the Panthers are 6-4 in the last 10 games. Sam Reinhart is first in goals (23), assists (22) and points (45) so far for the Cats.
The Rangers will be desperate to end the calendar year on a high note. However, the Panthers should pick up the win.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Utah Hockey Club vs Seattle Kraken
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: KHN; KONG; Utah16; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions is the Utah Hockey Club taking on the Seattle Kraken. Utah will go with confirmed starter Karel Vejmelka in goal for this one. Utah is coming into this game with a 6-2-2 mark, but have come into his game with three straight losses. Dylan Guenther is leading the team in goals with 16. However, team captain Clayton Keller is first in assists (23) and points (36).
Seattle is likely to go with Philipp Grubauer in the blue paint for this game. The Kraken are coming into this game with a 3-6-1 record in this last 10 games. However, Seattle did win in its last time out. Jared McCann is tops in goals with 12 and points with 27.
Both teams have been off as of late, but Utah picks up the win.
Prediction: Utah Hockey Club win 5-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s focus on the featured game of the night for two prop bets. For the Rangers, take Alexis Lafreniere to get a goal at any time at +290. On the Panthers side, take Matthew Tkachuk to score at any point at +175. These odds are courtesy of FanDuel.
Main photo by: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 30 New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.