Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders Picks and Prediction, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Florida Panthers face the New York Islanders in a matchup of two of the biggest surprises in the NHL for opposite reasons. The Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champs, yet with a 30-26-3 record, they are eight points out of a playoff spot. The Islanders are 34-21-5 and with four wins in a row, they boast the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Panthers vs Islanders prediction!
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Florida hopes defense improves
The Panthers are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.00 goals per game. Sam Reinhart and Brad Marchand have scored 54 goals and 55 assists while Anton Lundell, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe have combined for 53 goals and 77 assists to give the Panthers multiple great forward lines that can come at teams in waves.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has let the Panthers down, allowing 3.29 goals per game. Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling have combined for 6.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots with ease. The bright spot is the recent play from Sergei Bobrovsky as he’s allowed only two goals in the last two starts.
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Key injury report for Panthers
- Seth Jones is on injured reserve.
Islanders are led by great defense
The Islanders are having a great season despite their offense struggling and scoring only 2.86 goals per game. Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat have combined for 35 goals and 58 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only seven forwards have eight goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has been incredible, allowing only 2.71 goals per game with only seven goals in the last three games. Matthew Schaefer and Ryan Pulock have combined for 8.5 defensive point shares while Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and Scott Mayfield have combined for 9.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender David Rittich has stepped up in the recent starts, allowing only five goals in the last two starts.
Key injury report for Islanders
- No key injuries to report.
Panthers vs Islanders Pick
Money Line Pick For Blues vs Islanders
- Islanders (+120) (4 units)
The Panthers are looking to make a late push for the playoffs but the Islanders are having a great season and look to take over this game on their home ice. The Islanders should constantly find the back of the net against the Panthers, who 3.29 goals per game, with Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Islanders, who allow only 2.71 goals per game, should limit the Panthers offense with Matthew Schaefer, Ryan Pulock, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender David Rittich to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders should win the game and provide great odds in the process as home Underdogs.
Take the Islanders money line as home Underdogs.
Over/Under Pick For Panthers vs Islanders
- Under 5.5 (5 Units)
The Panthers are led by their offense, and it’s easy to think this game will be a high-scoring one. However, the Islanders are led by a remarkable defense, and this game looks to be a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Panthers should limit the Islanders offense, which averages only 2.86 goals per game, with Niko Mikkola, Gustav Forsling, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders, who have allowed only seven goals in their last three games, should eliminate the Panthers offense with Matthew Schaefer, Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender David Rittich, who has allowed only five goals in his last two starts, to blank the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 5.5 goals.
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