The Florida Panthers played a perfect road contest to open the Eastern Conference Final and look to go up two games when they face the New York Rangers in Friday's Game 2, and we have you covered with our Panthers-Rangers predictions based on the best NHL odds.
The Florida Panthers' suffocating defense was at its best in Game 1, shutting out the New York Rangers 3-0 to take the series lead.
Though the Rangers had enough chances to win the game, they'll be bitterly disappointed by their performance in a disjointed, stop-and-start opener. Game 2 goes on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the puck set to drop at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The Panthers, road favorites for Game 2, are also the front-runners to win it all, according to the Stanley Cup odds.
With a 5-1 road record, the Panthers will be confident about their ch ances of taking a two-game lead back to Florida for Game 3. The Rangers have dropped their last two home games but won the previous four.
Accompanying our Oilers vs. Stars Game 1 predictions, here are our best Panthers vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Panthers vs. Rangers Game 2 expert picks
- Rangers ML (-104 via FanDuel) ????
- Matthew Tkachuk anytime goal (+200 via FanDuel) ???
- Mika Zibanejad Over 2.5 shots (+104 via FanDuel) ???
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Panthers vs. Rangers predictions for Friday
The Rangers were unsettled throughout Game 1, seemingly unpr epared for the Panthers' relentless defensive pressure. Florida bottles up the neutral zone better than any team, pressing aggressively at the blue line and forcing the opposition to dump it in and establish a forecheck, which was non-existent for Peter Laviolette's team.
The Blueshirts' performance in Game 1 shouldn't rear its gruesome face again in Game 2. The Rangers should acquit themselves with the desperation required to avoid going down two games heading back to Florida.
Despite playing their worst game of the playoffs, the Blueshirts had every chance to tie Game 1 in the third period. Each attempt was thwarted by Sergei Bobrovsky, who enjoyed a stellar outing despite the comparatively light workload.
Expect a more ruthless Rangers team on Friday. The Rangers are home underdogs for the first time, offering solid value.
At -104, FanDuel has the best value of our be st sports betting apps. A $10 wager pays a profit of $9.62 if it hits and has an implied probability of 50.98%.
Best odds: -104 via FanDuel
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On Wednesday, Matthew Tkachuk scored the opener and game-winner. It was his first goal since Game 1 at home against the Boston Bruins, ending a five-game drought.
Tkachuk's goal at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 made it five in as many conference final contests. He scored four goals in the sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in last season's Eastern Conference Final and consistently raises his level in the most meaningful games.
Not only is he scoring a goal-per-game clip in conference finals (albeit in an admittedly small sample size), but Tkachuk loves the idea of playing in New York as much as a teenage partygoer enjoys spring break in Mexico.
Best odds: +200 via FanDuel
Usually, when you dominate one area, another takes a back seat. The Rangers' playoff assist king has prioritized setting up his colleagues throughout the playoffs , especially in the last five games.
Mika Zibanejad hasn't hit the Over on this prop since Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes when he peppered Frederik Andersen with six shots. I think he's overdue for an outing of at least three shots, especially at Madison Square Garden.
He's averaging 3.5 shots per game on home ice and had two against the Panthers in Game 1. It's essential for the Rangers' success that Zibanejad shoots the puck more often. His five-game streak of two or fewer shots is the longest of his playoff career.
I expect the 31-year-old Swede and the rest of his teammates to fire more often in Game 2.
FanDuel again has the best value, offering +104 odds. Those odds imply a 49.02% probability and pay a profit of $10.40 on a winning $10 wager.
Best odds: +104 via FanDuel
Panthers vs. Rangers Game 2 info & odds
- When: Friday, May 24
- Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
- How to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet
- Favorite: Panthers (-115 via DraftKings)
Panthers-Rangers predictions made Thursday at 11 a.m. ET.
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