Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders Prediction, 3/1/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders

Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG Sportsnet

The New York Islanders (33-21-5) will take on the Florida Panthers (30-26-3) at UBS Arena on Sunday.

The Florida Panthers had a rough game after their 3-2 loss against the Sabres in their last outing. The Panthers could have played much better offensively in the loss. In the matchup, they tallied a score on 2 of the 29 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 4 power play opportunities and scored 1 goal. Florida accrued 6 minutes in the box in this game.

While playing at even strength, the Panthers let the opposition score 157 goals while getting 135 when they are on offense. Florida Panthers opponents have tallied 207 power play tries (2nd in the league) and have racked up 37 goals in those chances. When talking about their scoring, the Florida Panthers have racked up 177 goals (17th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have allowed 194. Florida has taken 1,718 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.3%. For the season, they have tallied 63 points and their points percentage is .534. The Panthers have seen 1,540 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .874. Florida comes into the game with 216 power play chances and they have added 42 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 19.44%.

The player between the pipes for this game is Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has been in net for 795 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. He has amassed a mark of 451-260-58 and he has gotten the start in 780 games. Opponents have been able to score 1,990 goals versus Bobrovsky in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.55. Bobrovsky has seen 22,763 shots against him and has recorded 20,773 total saves. His save percentage currently sits at .913 during his 40,061 minutes between the pipes. Over the course of his pro career, Bobrovsky has tallied 448 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .574.

In their last contest, New York played the Canadiens in a game where the Islanders earned a victory by a mark of 4-3. They had 2 power play chances in this matchup and earned 1 out of those attempts. The Islanders converted 4 goals of the 26 shots on goal they tried.

For the year, the New York Islanders have a total of 169 goals, 71 points, and a points percentage of .602. They have permitted 160 goals to be scored by of a combination of 130 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Islanders have racked up 141 goals at even strength and 28 goals (25th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have earned 174 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 16.09%. New York has tried 1,618 shots (19th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.44%, while allowing the opposition 1,644 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 81.48% on their oppositions 162 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 90.3%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see David Rittich protecting the net. Rittich holds a lifetime mark of 120-79-29 and has played in 253 contests. Rittich's quality start rate comes out to 54.2% and he has qualified for 123 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He has compiled 5,971 saves out of 6,609 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .903. The opposition is averaging 2.81 goals/game and he has allowed 638 goals altogether. He has made the start in 227 games and has played 12,247 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take New York

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