Panthers vs Islanders Picks and Prediction – 10/26/2024

The Florida Panthers (4-2-1) travel to face the New York Islanders (2-2-2) in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Panthers are fresh off a solid 3-1 win over the New York Rangers, while the Islanders are coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Florida Panthers have relied heavily on offense, driven by Sam Reinhart, who has posted an impressive 13 points, including five goals and eight assists. Sam Bennett also contributes with a team-leading six goals, showcasing the Panthers' firepower. Florida is averaging 3.00 goals per game, placing pressure on opposing defenses with an aggressive approach. However, the power play has struggled to convert, sitting at a 17.4% success rate. 

Sergei Bobrovsky has handled most of the goaltending duties with a 3.11 goals-against average (GAA) and a .886 save percentage. Defensively, the Panthers have shown some vulnerabilities, allowing 3.33 goals per game. The penalty kill, however, remains a bright spot with an impressive 88.0% effectiveness. With recent injuries to key players like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, Florida's defense will be tested against a physical Islanders lineup.

The New York Islanders are finding contributions across the board but face some offensive struggles, averaging just 2.17 goals per game. Noah Dobson has been a significant playmaker for New York, contributing four assists, while Bo Horvat leads in goals with two, highlighting a balanced but unspectacular offense. The Islanders will need a stronger showing on the power play, which has converted only 10.5% of opportunities, if they are to break down the Panthers’ penalty kill. Between the pipes, Ilya Sorokin has been outstanding, boasting a 1.34 GAA and a .947 save percentage, providing the Islanders with a reliable last line of defense.

Defensively, the Islanders have been effective, allowing only 2.50 goals per game while limiting opponents to 25.3 shots per game. The penalty kill, however, is an area of concern at 66.7%, which Florida’s power play might exploit. Sorokin’s steady presence could be crucial, especially if the Islanders’ defense falters under the Panthers’ offensive pressure.

Despite the Islanders' defensive strengths, the Panthers’ offensive depth and higher scoring potential give them the edge. Expect Florida to push the pace and challenge New York’s penalty kill. Final Score Prediction: Florida Panthers win 4-2.