Panthers-Rangers Preview

It was a somber scene at Madison Square Garden this past Sunday, as one of the most beloved Knicks’ teams in recent memory saw their season come to its end. But New York fans can’t hang their heads too much — that same arena still gets to play host to an Eastern Conference Final. Let’s check in on some playoff hockey 🏒

The first two rounds are officially in the books, and we’re down to just four teams left in the hunt for the 2024 Stanley Cup. Each of them seem plenty capable of finishing the job; just take a look at how tightly packed the latest title odds are ⬇️

Conference finals action gets started tonight in the East, before heading out West tomorrow night. Here’s how the lines are shaping up for Game 1 at MSG between the Panthers and Rangers 👇

Panthers vs. Rangers Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Rangers -1.5 (+235)

• Moneyline: Rangers -110, Panthers -110

• Over/Under: 5.5 Total Goals

• When: 8PM on ESPN

Surprised to see a true pick’em in the series opener? I’ll confess that I am, given how important home ice advantage is during this time of year. But with the way the Panthers have played lately, it’s also hard to blame oddsmakers for being bullish on them 😤

• Last year’s runner-ups are still in pursuit of their first ever Stanley Cup, and they’re slight favorites to get it done this time around. They’re 8-3 through the first two rounds, and their goal differential of +12 trails only the Oilers

• After a middle-of-the-pack regular season offensively, Florida has really come alive when it matters most, notching three six-goal games so far ⚡️

But the Rangers have quite the resume themselves. Winners of the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular season team, they were red-hot to kick off the postseason, sweeping the Capitals before taking the first three from the Hurricanes in the second round 😳

• Things then started to get a bit dicey after Carolina won the next two, then hopped out to a 3-1 lead in Game 6. But a four-goal third period (including three from Chris Kreider) put an end to the skid, sending the Rags back to the ECF for the second time in three years 🗽

The Rangers looking a bit more mortal over their last three games may explain why they aren’t favored tonight, and FWIW, the Panthers also took two out of three in the regular season series…

But playoff hockey is a whole different beast. And if the pick’em line is any indication, we have a good one in store this evening 🍿

Trivia Question: Who was the last team to win a Presidents’ Trophy and a Stanley Cup in the same season?

For My Parlay Gurus

I wouldn’t be doing my job as a New Yorker if I wasn’t on the Rangers at home tonight, especially at pick’em value. Both of these teams have also had their fair share of scoring outbursts, so gimme the over as well — check it out 👇

• Rangers ML vs. Panthers: -110

• Over 5.5 Total Goals: -106

$100 on this bet would win you $249 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: The Presidents’ Trophy curse is now over a decade old; the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks are the last team to win both

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many will enter, one (1) will win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal US & DC residents 18 years or older. Prize is one Overtime hoodie. Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $65. Entries are accepted until 11:59 pm EST on the day after the bet hits. See Campaign Terms for additional terms. ©2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.