Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in goals (27) and points (51), while Matthew Tkachuk is second in both points (40) and assists (26). Recently named the “Athlete of the Year” in his native Finland, captain Aleksander Barkov ranks third in points (38) and first in assists (27).

Which squad is looking in better shape to win the Atlantic Division between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers?

Lucas Raymond leads Detroit in scoring with 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists), while Dylan Larkin sits in second with 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists). In addition to ranking third on the team in points (36), Alex DeBrincat paces the team with 19 goals, including eight on the power play.

At 24-15-2, the Panthers are in second place in the Atlantic Division, four points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (26-13-2) and five points ahead of the Boston Bruins (20-17-5).

Anton Lundell scored the shootout winner and Spencer Knight made 26 saves as the Florida Panthers downed the New Jersey Devils 2-1.

The Detroit Red Wings began one of their most important stretches of the season with a huge victory over the Florida Panthers. Starting a four-game road trip wh

BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers take on the Anaheim Ducks in a non-conference matchup. Florida is 26-17-3 overall and 12-9-2 at home. The Panthers have allowed 142 goals while scoring 146 for a +4 scoring differential.

The defending champion Florida Panthers will welcome the Boston Bruins to town for an early Saturday afternoon encounter.