Who will win Panthers vs. Rangers? Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions, odds
The Stanley Cup Playoffs has whittled its 16 starting teams down to the final four, and either the New York Rangers or Florida Panthers will be the team competing for the Cup out of the Eastern Conference.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals begins Wednesday night between the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers and the Panthers, winners of the Atlantic Division. It is the first game of conference finals play in the NHL's playoffs.
The Rangers avoided a big comeback upset from the Carolina Hurricanes, winning their second-round clash in six games after initially leading the series 3-0.
Florida dropped its first game of the second round to the Boston Bruins, 5-1, before winning three in a row and four of the next five to take the series in six games.
Here's everything to know about Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals ahead of Wednesday night's clash.
NHL CONFERENCE FINALS: How to watch New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers on Wednesday
Panthers vs. Rangers Game 1 predictions
Bergen Record: Rangers 4, Panthers 2
Albert Bainbridge IV writes: "I believe there will be plenty of open ice and scoring chances in this one, with New York capitalizing slightly more than the Panthers do."
Action Network: Lay the points for the Panthers
Tony Sartori writes: "Florida is the better team offensively, defensively and arguably in net. Even if we call the goaltending battle a wash, which it very well could be, I still don't think that outweighs the difference in which these two teams have looked both offensively and defensively. And, as we progress further into the playoffs, the refs are going to swallow the whistles more."
Winners and Whiners: Take the Rangers moneyline
Mike Fink writes: "The Rangers, who have only allowed 26 goals in the playoffs, should limit the Hurricanes offense with Adam Fox, K'Andre Miller, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Igor Shesterkin to make plenty of big saves."
NHL PLAYOFFS BRACKET: What are the conference finals series in Stanley Cup playoffs?
Panthers vs. Rangers: Odds, spread and lines for Game 1
The Panthers are favorites to defeat the Rangers in Wednesday's NHL playoff game according to the BetMGM hockey odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.
Odds listed are as of Wednesday.
Spread: Panthers (-1.5)
Moneyline: Panthers (-110); Rangers (-110)
O/U: 5.5 goals
How to watch Panthers vs. Rangers: TV channel and streaming
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Cable TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+; fuboTV
HOW TO WATCH: Catch Stanley Cup Playoff action with an ESPN+ subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers: Predictions, odds for NHL playoffs
