What’s happened so far
Florida came out firing on all cylinders in Game 1 on Wednesday, winning 3-0 behind goals from their big guns, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Bennett. The Rangers had no answers as Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves in net. Game 2 was a different story. New York locked down defensively and won in OT thanks to Barclay Goodrow. Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves after a lackluster series opener.
NY Rangers
The Rangers were probably the most consistent team in the playoffs heading into this series, taking out the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes fairly easily. Their 9-3 record in the postseason is the best of any team left and they remain a serious Cup contender. There is so many different guys doing their part for New York, the Presidents’ Trophy winners from the regular season.
Vincent Trocheck’s 16 points lead the way, including seven goals and nine assists. Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Alex Lafreniere, and Chris Kreider are all in double digits in points in these playoffs as well. The Rangers are scoring 3.08 goals per game while allowing just 2.50. Their defensive abilities definitely showed in Game 2 after looking a bit vulnerable in Game 1.
The Rangers will have some momentum heading on the road, where they’ll be hoping to win at least one game. But, NHL sportsbooks have them as an underdog in Game 3 given how well Florida plays at home.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers may be the best team left. The Rangers, Oilers, and Stars will have something to say about that, but Florida is truly a complete squad. After making the Cup last season in surprising fashion, the Cats proceeded to win the Atlantic Division and prove their Cinderella run was no fluke. On both ends of the ice, Florida is legit and it’s shown throughout the playoffs.
Tkachuk has 16 points, serving as the Panthers’ most consistent producer. He’s scored five times and assisted 11. Verhaeghe also has 14 points, netting eight and tallying six assists. Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, and points leader Sam Reinhart are all chipping in as well. Florida has averaged 3.31 goals and allowed just 2.23. Needless to say, Bobrovsky has been brilliant in between the posts.
The Cats are 4-2 in the postseason at Amerant Bank Arena, which is a good sign ahead of Sunday’s Game 3. That’s likely why they’re a favorite to win this one at Bodog sportsbook. It would be nice if Reinhart started to produce a little bit more for Florida given how important he was in the season, but it’s not an X-factor. It may just help the Panthers’ hopeful run to the Cup.
