Panthers vs. Rangers: Betting Picks and Prediction for Game 5
This series between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers has been a roller coaster, with both teams looking like they were on top at one point. Now, things are even at two games apiece after three consecutive overtime games. The series will shift back to New York tonight for an important Game 5.
Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.
Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All NHL betting odds and totals are from the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All advanced statistics are used from MoneyPuck.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.
NHL Best Bets
Panthers vs Rangers
Rangers Moneyline (+104)
This series has been difficult to predict so far, but there are some patterns we can draw from the first four games.
A lot of the storyline for the last two games has been how the Panthers have dominated the run of play -- especially at five-on-five. That's definitely been true in all of the shot metrics. The shots were 56-32, the expected goals (xG) were 5.44 to 2.19, and the scoring chances were a whopping 70-24. In the goals department, the Rangers came out ahead five to three, thanks largely to the goaltending of Igor Shesterkin.
Getting outshot at five-on-five is nothing new for the Rangers -- it happened consistently in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes. The strength of their special teams and strong play from Shesterkin helps to make up for that, and they also have some game-breakers who can make a difference without a ton of shot volume.
Those two dominant performances from the Panthers were in the two home games they've played in this series. In the two games at Madison Square Garden, things were more even. In fact, the Rangers had the edge in five-on-five expected goals at home.
The Rangers reached overtime in both of those games in Florida, and they went long stretches trying to deal with sustained offensive zone time for the Panthers. If things are more even, New York has a great chance to win.
Home-ice advantage isn't only seen in the venue change. The home team gets the last line change before a face-off -- allowing the home coach to dictate the matchup they want. This can make a big difference in how things play out.
The model on numberFire likes the Rangers +104. Those odds imply just a 49.02% win probability, but the model gives them a 51.65% chance of winning.
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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.