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 todays round of NHL Predictions we are looking at the game between the New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers
Time: 7:30 p.m Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+, HULU, TVAS
This game is an early battle between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference as the New Jersey Devils (10-6-2) head to the Sunshine State for the first of two road games in a row against the Florida Panthers (11-3-1). This will be the first of three games between these two teams this season. Last season the Panthers took two out of the three games, with the road team winning every game. Let’s see if that trend continues tonight.
Measuring Stick Game For the Devils
With a new coach to go along with much improved goaltending, the New Jersey Devils have gotten off to a strong start. If their early record is any indication, they should be battling for top spot in the Metropolitan Division throughout the season. Even securing top spot likely doesn’t lead to being called the best team in the Eastern Conference. That title still belongs to tonight’s opponent the Florida Panthers. They are the Beast of the East until someone proves otherwise. This will be the Devils first chance to prove they belong in that conversation. How will they do it?
The Devils will need their offence to continue finding the back of the net against a Florida team who’s only weakness so far may be the substandard numbers Sergei Bobrovsky has produced. New Jersey has plenty of high powered options to rely on. All of Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes are producing at or near a point per game clip to start the season. Defenceman Dougie Hamilton has bounced back from injury and led the charge from the backend. These stars have helped the Devils produce plenty of goals, and led to a dangerous power play converting at 28.3%. After Jake Allen played in the second game of the teams back-to-back against the San Jose Sharks over the weekend, expect Jacob Markstrom to get the start against the team he once played for.
Florida Continues to Roll
There hasn’t seemed to be any sort of Stanley Cup hangover in Florida. The Panthers are off to a great start. They are 8-1-1 in their last ten games, winning seven in a row. It doesn’t seem to matter where they play. At home, on the road, even in Finland, they are still proving to be a top team in the NHL. This game against the Devils be will the third game of a six game homestead (the first game was played in Finland). They will be looking to make it eight wins in a row.
The Panthers seem to show no weakness. Both special teams units are ranked inside the top ten, they have a +12 goal differential, and all their top players continue to produce. Coming off a career-year, their leading scorer Sam Reinhart is once again piling up the points. He has 11 goals and 23 points in 15 games. Both statistics put him among the league leaders in those categories. They have withstood injuries to both Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk without flinching. When those two have played, they are averaging at least a point per game. In their absence Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell stepped up and have gotten off to the best starts in their respective careers. The only area to nitpick is the numbers of Sergei Bobrovsky. However, they have won in spite of that and Bobrovsky giving his team a chance to win is all you can ask for. He should get a chance to improve on his early season stats tonight.
NHL Predictions Panthers and Devils
This should be a good game between two top teams. Each team will be looking to prove who is better. The battle between each teams’ top players should be fascinating to watch. The Devils stars rely more on speed and finesse. Meanwhile, the Panthers stars are more well-rounded and create in a variety of ways. Having home ice should allow for better matchups for Florida. It will also be interesting to watch how the Devils handle the Panthers relentless forecheck. That will be paramount to their success. Finally, the goalie battle. Markstrom’s numbers are slightly better than Bobrovsky’s but, expect both goalies to be at their best in this one.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2
Prop Bets of the Night
Two of the leagues top goal scorers are playing tonight. Nico Hischier has ten goals. He is +210 as an anytime goal scorer in this game on FanDuel Sportsbook. For Florida, Sam Reinhart is +150 as an anytime goal scorer. If you are looking for more of a sleeper Stefan Noesen is +430 to score. He has seen time on the Devils top power play unit helping his chances.
Main Photo Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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