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 Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers. 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 2-2 Rangers
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
Florida finally broke New York’s overtime mastery to even the series at two games apiece. The Rangers had been 4-0 in free hockey until Sam Reinhart‘s overtime-winner. This is now a best-of-three series with tonight’s game at Madison Square Garden. The Panthers have enjoyed big stretches of carrying the play. However, Igor Shesterkin has carried the Blueshirts so far this series.
The Panthers could have swept the series had a couple of bounces gone their way. However, this is why they play the games. A good goalie can carry the play, but the Rangers have yet to have had a game where they carry the play. Could the return to MSG be the tonic they need to finally tilt the ice in their favour.
The Panthers Story
Florida has been every bit of the defending Eastern Conference champion this post-season. The Panthers have been able push around the other teams that they’ve encountered in the post-season. It’s a very heavy lineup and Florida hopes to lean on its big guys to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the team in points with 19 while Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov each are tied for second on the team with 17. Sergei Bobrovsky will once again get the start and he’s been able to hang with his fellow Russian counterpart in the crease.
The Rangers Story
Game 4 was a missed opportunity for the Blueshirts to get a strong grip on the series. New York did rally to force a third straight overtime thanks to Alexis Lafreniere. However, a Mika Zibanejad giveaway led to the game-ending goal. The Rangers have been good at bouncing back from adversity in this post-season. Many thought we’d see a Game 7 versus the Carolina Hurricanes, but Chris Kreider took care of that.
However, Kreider and Zibanejad are going to have to reclaim the form that they had in the first round. Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck and Barclay Goodrow have done a lot of good work. However, the Blueshirts needs their star players to finally play like the All-Stars they’ve been all season long. Shesterkin will get the start once again, but he’ll need his defence to suppress shots better.
Prediction
It’s a hard game to call with the Rangers usually fairly solid at home. However, the Panthers have been the team that’s carried the play most of the series. New York has been fortunate to win two games and this series could have technically been over. Florida shows up and pushes the President’s Trophy winners to the brink.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
It’s time for some prop bets to make the night even more fun. Continue to ride with Verhaeghe and take the over on +0.5 goals for the Panthers. On the New York side, go with Artemi Panarin to get the over on +0.5 points in this one. The under might also be a good play in this one if it’s around 5.5 or higher.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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