New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/2

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The New York Rangers will visit the Florida Panthers for an NHL regular season game. This game will take place at loanDepot Park on Friday, January 2, 2026. Fans can catch the action on TNT at 8:00 PM.

The Rangers come into the game with a record of 19-18-5. Under head coach Mike Sullivan, they rank 15th in their conference. Meanwhile, the Panthers hold a 21-16-3 record. They are led by head coach Paul Maurice and are ranked 9th in their conference.

Rangers vs Panthers Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
  • Venue: loanDepot Park
  • Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Florida Panthers MoneyLine -148, New York Rangers MoneyLine +125

New York Rangers Team Preview

The New York Rangers have had a tough stretch recently. They lost their last three games against the Capitals, Hurricanes, and Islanders. In those games, their goal-scoring has been limited, with only five goals scored in total.

Artemi Panarin continues to contribute with assists, having two against the Capitals. Adam Fox also performed well in that game, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Despite their efforts, the Rangers’ defense has struggled to contain opposing teams.

Goaltending has been a challenge for the Rangers. Jonathan Quick has played in ten games, with three wins and six losses. His recent performance against the Capitals saw him allowing five goals on 26 shots.

Florida Panthers Team Preview

The Florida Panthers have had mixed results in their recent home games. They faced the Montreal Canadiens and lost by one, with a score of 3-2. Sam Reinhart and Brad Marchand each contributed a goal, while Sergei Bobrovsky did not see action in the net.

In their game against the Washington Capitals, the Panthers secured a win with a score of 5-3. Sam Reinhart stood out with two goals and an assist. The team managed a power play goal and had solid performances from Aaron Ekblad and Anton Lundell.

Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Panthers were unable to secure a win, losing 4-2. Eetu Luostarinen scored a goal and recorded six hits. Despite having fewer shots on goal than the Lightning, the Panthers couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.

BTB Betting Pick

The Florida Panthers are the favorites with a moneyline of -148. They have a better record in goals and assists compared to the New York Rangers. The Panthers also have a higher rank in shots on goal, suggesting they have a strong offensive presence. A projected score of 3-2 in favor of the Panthers supports the pick for Florida to win.

The over/under line is set at 5.5 with the over at -115 and the under at -106. Both teams have strong offensive stats, but the Panthers have slightly better defensive numbers. With the projected score of 3-2, the total comes to 5. This suggests betting on the under is a better choice.