Rangers' offense needs to figure out how to get around Panthers' defensive prowess – and quickly – ahead of Game 2

The Rangers had been undefeated on their home ice heading into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but head coach Peter Laviolette and his team received a serious reality check from the defense-minded Florida Panthers. Taking a 1-0 lead late in the first period, Florida thwarted any opportunity the Rangers produced offensively. An own-goal off the stick of Alexis Lafreniere late in the third period made it 2-0 and an empty net goal wrapped up a 3-0 loss for the Blueshirts, the first time they have trailed in any series this postseason.