HomeNHLNHL PredictionsNew York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Prediction, Odds and 2026 Winter Classic Picks

New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Prediction, Odds and 2026 Winter Classic Picks for Today, 01/02/26

Updated: 10:53 AM ET Jan 02, 2026

LoanDepot Park, MiamiTNT

Rangers

8:07 PM ETToday

Panthers

WWLLL	Last 5	WLLLW
19-18-5	Record	21-15-3
0-0-0	ATS Record	0-0-0
0-0	O/U Record	0-0

Vote on who will win!

Rangers vs Panthers Pickswise Expert Predictions

Game Totals Pick

Over 5.5(-115)

Reasoning

The 2026 Winter Classic features the New York Rangers battling the Florida Panthers at LoanDepot Park in Miami. Despite both New York and Florida having some offensive inconsistencies this season, they should be able to total at least 6 goals in this one. New York’s offensive woes this season are well-documented, but the Rangers got a huge boost with the return of star defenseman Adam Fox earlier this week. Fox missed more than a month with an upper body injury, and provided an immediate boost by scoring a goal and dishing out an assist on New Year’s Eve against the Capitals. He has 28 points in 28 games this season, and could lead the Rangers to a solid offensive effort in this one. There’s also a possibility that J.T. Miller returns, which would be another positive for New York.

On the other side, the Panthers have been in plenty of high-scoring games this season. Florida ranks 12th in the league averaging 3.12 goals per game, and the over is a strong 22-17 in their 39 games so far this season. New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin has allowed 3+ goals in 7 of his last 9 games, and owns a goals-against average above 3.00 in 8 career games against the Rangers. It’s also worth mentioning that the retractable roof at LoanDepot Park will be closed at the start of the game, but is slated to open up at some point throughout the contest. That could potentially cause some depth perception issues for both goaltenders. Consider the over.

Rangers vs Panthers prediction: Over 5.5 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Show Bio

Connor has been covering the sports betting industry in a wide variety of roles for almost five years, and most enjoys writing about MLB, NHL, and college football. He is an avid supporter of #MACtion, and his favorite professional teams are the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. When it comes to his sports bets, Connor is a firm believer that every loss is a bad beat and every win is easy money.

Same Game Parlay

Money Line

FLA Panthers Win

Game Totals

Over 5.5

Player Goals

B. Marchand (FLA) - Over 0.5 goals

Reasoning

Florida Panthers ML over New York Rangers (-142)

The Panthers have begun to heat up at the right time. They were just treading water for most of the first half of the season, but now, Florida enters this game having gone 6-2-1 in its last 9 as part of 9 wins in its last 13. The Panthers will also bring a little extra jam in this game from the adrenaline of playing at home in prime time on national TV in the Winter Classic.

The Rangers are limping into this one a bit. They are winless in their last 3 games and have dropped 6 out of their last 9. During their current 3-game skid, the Rangers have been outscored a combined 11-5 to the Islanders, Hurricanes, and Capitals. Granted, those are all very good teams, but so are the Panthers. New York’s ranking of 31st in goals scored per game add another headwind in trying to bounce back against another great team that has beaten the Rangers in 5 out of the last 6 played head-to-head. This one sets up well for the Panthers.

Over 5.5 (-115)

The over has been rolling in Panthers games of late. The total has gone over in 5 out of their last 6 games, as well as in 4 out of their last 5 games played at home. Granted, this game will not be played at their home arena, but for all intents and purposes, the Panthers are the home team playing in front of their home crowd and will want to put on a show. That bodes well for another over.

The other aspect that gives appeal to the over 5.5 is that both teams have been a bit volatile lately on both sides of the puck. While they have scored 5 goals in 2 out of their last 4 games, the Panthers have also allowed 4+ goals in 2 out of their last 5. The Rangers just gave up 6 goals to the Capitals on Wednesday, just a week after scoring 7 against the Capitals. The excitement of the novel game, recent totals trends, and a bit of volatility look good for the over.

Brad Marchand anytime goalscorer (+155)

What a revelation Brad Marchand has been for this Panthers team. He was a key reason Florida won the Stanley Cup last year, and has been a key reason they are right back in the thick of things this season. In 38 games played this season, Marchand leads the Panthers in both goals with 22 and points with 45. The production, along with his important 18:45 of average ice time per game, have been vital for this Panthers team that has been ravaged by injuries this year.

To no surprise, Marchand is on an important line with fellow star players Sam Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe winner, and Carter Verhaeghe — now a 3-time Stanley Cup winner. Marchand is also on the team’s top power play, which includes Bennett and 50-goal scorer Sam Reinhart. This team is clicking at the right time, and Marchand is a big reason. He plays with productive players in high-leverage minutes, has played in Winter Classics before, and knows exactly what to do to propel his team in a big game. Look for Marchand to make a mark on this one.

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Rangers vs Panthers Winter Classic Same Game Parlay

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Game Totals

The Over is 4-1 in the Panthers' last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference teams.

Puck Line

Betting the Rangers as an underdog on the puck line this season is showing a profit of 3.48 units.

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