Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Series Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Rangers
TV: ABC, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
The Panthers are on the edge of clinching their second straight Stanley Cup Final berth. Florida has won two straight in the series after falling behind 2-1 after Game 3 of the series. It seems like the Panthers have been carrying the play and things are going their way. Florida has withstood the New York charge in Game 5 and are one game away from another Prince of Wales Trophy.
However, the Rangers aren’t going down without a fight.The Panthers will get the President’s Trophy winners best shot. However, it seems like the curse of that hardware will claim another team in current trends continue.
The Rangers Story
New York actually played one of its better games in the series in Game 5. Chris Kreider got a shorthanded goal and the Blueshirts grabbed the lead. However, the Panthers roared back and took Game the critical game with a chance to finish the series. Alexis Lafreniere continued his strong play, but the team needs more scoring in order to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Igor Shesterkin will get the start again and he’s been great this post-season. However, his defence needs to do a better job in order to take some pressure off. Head coach Peter Laviolette made some lineup changes, but the magic tonic from Games 2 and 3 seem to be gone. Time is running out for the Blueshirts to get right or else its another empty playoff run.
The Panthers Story
Florida’s heft and size seem to be wearing down New York’s lineup. This team seems to make the right play at the right time and get clutch plays. Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe and others have stepped up for a second straight post-season. It’s not just puck luck, but skill and the right game plan from head coach Paul Maurice.
Sergei Bobrovsky will get the call in the blue paint for the Panthers. He’s done a great job at least keeping up with his Russian counterpart in the crease. Florida could be the favourite going into the Stanley Cup Final with its strong play. The Edmonton Oilers or the Dallas Stars face a tall task ahead of them. However, the Panthers have to close out this series.
Prediction
It seems that everything is going against the Blueshirts in this series since Game 4. Forcing a Game 7 seems to be an uphill battle and the Rangers hope history can repeat itself from 1994. The Rangers were pretty much down and out against the New Jersey Devils, but managed to force Game 7 and then win.
However, history won’t repeat itself this time around.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We do have some prop bets for tonight’s game. Go with Lafreniere getting the over on +0.5 points tonight for the Blueshirts. On the Panthers side, take Verhaeghe to score another goal at least for them. Verhaeghe getting the over on +0.5 goals seems to be a safe bet for Florida in this possible series-decider.
Main photo by: Wendell Cruz – USA TODAY Sports
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