Alright, let's break down this nail-biter, shall we? We've got an interesting faceoff between the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers upcoming and this one might just raise a few eyebrows.
Over in Vancouver, both Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen have been splitting time protecting the net. Silovs, with a save percentage of a not-so-impressive 83% last month amidst appreciable recover from last season's 88.1%, is failing to cast any spell. And then there's Lankinen's solid 93.5% from last month that's got me wondering where that was last season when he posted a 90.7% save rate. Hey, you live, you learn.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are playing with fire or rather, ice, with Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight. Bobrovsky is coasting with an 88.2% save rate this season. Knight seems to be following his fellow goaltender's skate tracks with his 89.1% this season, too.
The Canucks are trying to leverage their offense with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser, though both have shown lackluster stats last month with negative plus-minus. Then there's Conor Garland and Quinn Hughes who are doing their part, while Pius Suter's last season glows with 14 goals, 15 assists, and a 17 plus-minus. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Panthers' strategy is heavily loaded on Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell. Reinhart is putting some numbers on board with 4 goals, 4 assists this season, and a total plus-minus balance sheet nicely in the black. Following the tussle is Anton Lundell, who's managed 3 goals, 2 assists this season. Looks as though they're trying to even out the 3-0-2 season record and past losses to the Canucks but hey, hope keeps the world spinning, right?
Evaluating their past matchups and recent results, it's clear Vancouver has had a bit of an upper hand. The Canucks pulverized the Panthers with a score of 4-0 in their last meeting and hold a 5-3 win from their October clash, though they lost 4-3 in January. Even so, with not a single victory in their last 5 outings, the Canucks redefine the salient features of a "bad phase". While Panthers have shown some fight with their come-from-behind victories against Columbus and Boston.
So, recollecting all these stats, alongside an effort not to shock our betters into oblivion, my gamble here is the Panthers taking this one. Quick reminder: this is called a prediction for a reason, don't go blaming the fortune cookies if it all goes south.
Albert’s Prediction: Florida Panthers by 2