{"id":134241,"date":"2022-12-23T11:06:28","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T16:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134241"},"modified":"2022-12-23T11:06:28","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T16:06:28","slug":"nhl-predictions-december-23rd-panthers-islanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/23\/nhl-predictions-december-23rd-panthers-islanders\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: December 23rd with Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is between the Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions later on.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n

Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Panthers 2 – 0 Islanders<\/h4>\n

It’s the final matchup of the season between the two clubs. Florida has won a pair of games and are looking for the season sweep. Florida is likely to go with Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> in the last game before the Christmas break. The Panthers are eighth in goals for, but 22nd in goals against. Carter Verhaeghe<\/a> is the top goal-scorer going into Thursday’s games with 17 so far.<\/p>\n

The Isles will be coming off back-to-back games and Cory Schneider<\/a> could get the start in goal. However, this game might be a chance to give Ilya Sorokin<\/a> a second straight start with the break coming up. New York is 15th in goals for and eighth in goals against going into Thursday’s action. Brock Nelson<\/a> leads the way in goals with 15 going into Thursday night.<\/p>\n

The Isles are looking to avoid the season sweep, but the Panthers getting a little more rest will give them a slight edge.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n

Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2 – 0 Predators<\/h4>\n

It’s the third meeting of the season between the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> and the Nashville Predators<\/a>. It’s a rematch of the first-round series from last year’s Stanley Cup first round. Alexandar Georgiev<\/a> is the projected starter for a Colorado team that has won four out of its last five. Mikko Rantanen<\/a> leads the team in goals with this campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>