New Jersey Devils @ Florida Panthers 11/20/2025
Let’s set the scene in Sunrise. The Panthers are back at BB&T Center with a strong home vibe (6-2 to start in their barn), while the Devils roll in with top-of-the-conference ambitions and a 5-4 mark on the road. Florida’s profile through 17 is pretty balanced: roughly 2.9 goals per game for, 3.0 against. New Jersey is pushing the pace with about 3.4 per game and just under 3.0 allowed, which tracks with their 25 points and a perch near the top of the Metro. The matchup rhythm says this: Florida leans into structure and heavy forecheck at home; New Jersey prefers speed through the neutral zone, layered entries, and quick-strike offense.
Special teams and crease play will be pivotal, and both clubs have shown swings lately—Florida’s home kill typically settles, while New Jersey’s power play can punish when it finds touch. In a one-goal-type NHL game state, faceoffs and netfront battles matter; Florida tends to grind those areas at home. The last five for both sides (3-2) keeps this to a razor edge, but home-ice form is a real tiebreaker. The markets reflect that with the Panthers priced as favorites and a total line that expects a moderate tempo. If you like the Cats’ core identity on home ice, there’s a case to ride that run support with a measured nod to the Under.
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Our betting predictions for the match New Jersey Devils @ Florida Panthers
Main Tip: Moneyline — Florida Panthers
Our primary betting tip: Moneyline — Florida Panthers at BetMGM Sportsbook. Home-ice edge has been real for Florida, and their game management shines late in tight third periods at BB&T Center. New Jersey’s offense can surge, but the Cats’ forecheck and walls play tilt the ice here, especially with favorable last change for matchups. With both clubs 3-2 in their last five, we’ll lean toward the team with the stronger home split and a profile that travels well to low-event closing time.
Tip 2: Game Totals – Under 6.0 Goals
Our second prediction: Total Under 6.0 Goals at best price -115 at Fanatics Sportsbook. The numbers point to a game landing in that five-to-six range more often, and Florida’s home defensive structure—plus their ability to keep the slot clean—keeps things manageable. New Jersey’s goals-per-game average is strong, but the Panthers’ pace control at home and a respectable kill typically clip opponent volume. Expect long cycles, fewer clean rush looks, and tighter second-period neutral-zone clamps.
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Tip 3: Spread — Florida Panthers -1.5
Our final betting prediction: Spread — Florida Panthers -1.5 at best price +165 at Fanatics Sportsbook. If you’re looking for plus-money upside, a Cats cover is on the menu when they get the empty-net scenario late. Florida’s home ice tilt, combined with their ability to win the board battles and close with structure, creates windows for a late two-goal margin. Not the primary play, but worth a smaller, value-driven sprinkle if you’re building a card around the moneyline and total.
Team news
It’s November volume hockey, so keep an eye on morning skate notes for any late lineup tweaks and starting-goalie confirmations. Both teams have navigated bumps and bruises recently—standard for this stretch—and either side could lean on depth wingers and third-pair minutes to steady the middle six and late-game checks. Monitor special teams units pregame; both coaching staffs have been willing to shuffle power-play looks to spark momentum. Also worth tracking: any back-to-back ripple effects and how each bench manages minutes for top-pair defenders.
Florida Panthers performance check
Head coach: — Florida enters with 19 points through 17 and a sturdy home presence (6-2). They’re averaging about 2.9 goals per game with roughly 3.0 against, but that home rink tends to tighten their defensive posture and tilt those metrics in their favor. The last five show a 3-2 run highlighted by a high-octane home win, which fits the identity: heavy on the walls, relentless forecheck, and layers in front of the net.
The Panthers’ kill at home often looks disciplined—lane blocks, netfront muscle—and their power-play opportunities come off retrievals and ozone pressure. Faceoff wins in the defensive end help them get out clean, and when they do, they can compress the neutral zone the other way. Expect Florida to slow the Devils’ rush game, win the trench battles, and manage the middle of the ice. In the Atlantic Division context, this is a meaningful home checkpoint: bank the points on home ice, keep pace with the top tier, and lean into the home-ice formula that’s worked early.
How is the current performance of the New Jersey Devils
Head coach: — New Jersey’s first 17 have been impressive: 25 points, 12 wins, and a goals-per-game clip around 3.4, with goals against just under 3.0. Their road ledger (5-4) suggests they still find enough offense away from Newark, but the margin is slimmer when they don’t control special teams. The Devils’ last five also sit at 3-2, though their most recent road outing was a tough one—they’ll be eager to reset the defensive layers and get more consistent puck management in the middle of the ice.
This team thrives on pace, stick detail, and quick touches through the slot on the power play; when they’re connecting on those bumper looks, they can tilt a game in a hurry. In the Metropolitan Division, New Jersey is near the top for a reason: they stack chances in bunches and have the skill to finish. The question tonight: can they crack Florida’s home structure often enough at even strength to make the special teams count?
Team Statistics
- Panthers per-game snapshot (through 17): about 2.9 scored, 3.0 allowed. That’s roughly league middle, with a better home bend. The home split (6-2) tells you they’re comfortable dictating terms at BB&T Center, winning board battles, and chipping pucks past pressure.
- Devils per-game snapshot (through 17): about 3.4 scored, 2.9 allowed. That’s a strong differential and speaks to their skill. Away form (5-4) shows a narrower edge; when they don’t win special teams or neutral-zone speed, games look coin-flippy.
- Head-to-head last five: slight edge to New Jersey (3-2). The most recent meeting went to the Devils on their home ice by a two-goal margin.
- Faceoff and shot-volume notes: Florida typically stabilizes at home, using their centers to exit clean and suppress high-danger looks. New Jersey’s volume can spike quickly when they win ozone faceoffs and string passes through the dots.
- Special teams: both have shown stretches of quality—Florida’s kill tends to improve at home, while New Jersey’s power play has the personnel to pop when entries are clean.
Keyplayer Statistics/Momentum/External Factors
- Goaltending: Always the swing state. Florida’s home setup supports their starter with shot lanes visible and bodies up front. New Jersey’s outcome often hinges on rebound control and slot denial; if the Devils insulate the blue paint, they limit the Panthers’ greasy second looks.
- Matchups: Last change matters. Florida can chase the line matchups they like, trying to neutralize New Jersey’s speed lines and steer them into the walls.
- Travel and rest: Late November can stack the schedule. If either side had a recent back-to-back or elevated travel, it could nudge pace down and favor the Under.
- Momentum: Florida’s coming off a wide-open home win that showcased their ability to finish when the game gets track-meet-ish. New Jersey, on the other hand, will aim to tighten and re-center their detail game after a rough road night.
- Discipline: If Florida keeps the box time low, their five-on-five grind and home kill give them a path to control. If New Jersey lives on the power play, that’s the equalizer.
Last direct match: Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils
The last meeting this season tilted to New Jersey on home ice by a multi-goal margin. The Devils fed off special-teams touches and quick-strike zone entries, while Florida had to chase. Expect the Panthers to adjust matchups at home, prioritize cleaner exits, and limit the bumper looks through the slot that New Jersey thrives on.
Performance last 5 matches
- Florida Panthers: 3 wins, 2 losses. On balance, trending upward at home with better defensive detail late in games.
- New Jersey Devils: 3 wins, 2 losses. The offense is still there; the priority is tightening the middle and stabilizing transitions on the road.
Last match results Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils
- Florida: A high-scoring home win that reinforced their finishing touch and aggressive forecheck. They found offense in layers and managed the game late.
- New Jersey: A lopsided road loss that put the spotlight on defensive-zone coverage and puck decisions. Expect a sharper, more compact response.
If you want a little extra guidance before puck drop, take a minute to check out our NHL picks — they’re packed with insight to help you spot the smartest plays on the board.
TrustnBet Final Thoughts
We’re lining up three angles. First, Moneyline Florida leans into their home strength, matchups, and end-game management. Second, under 6.0 at -115 fits a Florida home script where they tighten the slot and squeeze pace. Third, Panthers -1.5 at +165 is the plus-money ladder if the Cats get the empty-net window or control the third with a cushion. Strategy-wise: anchor ML and Under, sprinkle the spread for value.
