Rangers vs. Panthers: 3 things to watch for in Eastern Conference Final rematch
The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers face off Thursday for the first time since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final on June 1. The Panthers eliminated the Rangers with a 2-1 win, and went on to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history more than two weeks later when the defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.
Perhaps motivated by coming so close to their first Cup Final since 2014 yet falling short, the Rangers are 5-0-1 to start the new season, the best points percentage (.917) in the Eastern Conference.
The Rangers are doing it with largely the same roster as last season. The only regular newcomers into the lineup are forwards Reilly Smith (trade) and Sam Carrick (free agent), and rookie defenseman Victor Mancini. Forward Adam Edstrom has also worked his way into a full-time role with Jimmy Vesey injured, playing all six games after appearing in 11 with the Rangers last season.
New York won’t be changing a winning hand Thursday after a 7-2 rout against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. That means Ryan Lindgren, who returned from an upper-body injury, will again skate with Mancini on the third defense pair, and Jonny Brodzinski will remain on the fourth line, with Matt Rempe a healthy scratch.
The Panthers (4-3-1) are first in the Atlantic Division and begin a five-game road trip Thursday that includes two games in Finland next week against the Dallas Stars in the 2024 NHL Global Series. They are hoping to get captain Aleksander Barkov back in the lineup soon, He’s out with a lower-body injury, missing the past six games.
Related: Randy Moller says Rangers must change playoff ‘mindset’ to win Stanley Cup
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Panthers
1. Measuring stick — but for whom?
Jacob Trouba believes this game will be a “good test” for the Rangers, who’ve yet to lose in regulation through six games and own the first six-game point streak to begin a season in franchise history.
“It’s a good test every time you play a top-notch team,” the Rangers captain said after the morning skate Thursday. “Obviously, the defending champs. They’re one of the best in the League, so it’ll be a good test for us.”
But is this really a measuring-stick game for the Panthers and not as much for the Rangers? As New York plays at a crazy high level, with a goal differential of plus-19 and averaging a League-best 5.17 goals per game, Florida is struggling to score and have been sloppy defensively. The Panthers miss Barkov, no doubt, but a minus-five goal differential is an unsightly look for the reigning champions.
Right now, one team looks locked in. The other, not so much.
2. Igor vs. Bob
One of the things that made the 2024 ECF so compelling was the goalie matchup. Countrymen from Russia, Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovksy are two of the best at their position in the world. Shesterkin has the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy as top NHL goalie on his resume, and Bobrovsky won the Vezina twice, to go along with the Stanley Cup last spring.
Bobrovsky, of course, led the Panthers past the Rangers, allowing 12 goals in six games and more than two goals only once. His save percentage was .921.
But Shesterkin faced 49 more shots in the series and was a one-man force against the Panthers. He was spectacular despite losing the series, finishing with a .930 save percentage, allowing 14 goals in six games.
Shesterkin’s continued his brilliance early on this season. In five starts, he’s 4-0-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .932 save percentage, allowing two goals or fewer in each win and one goal or fewer three times.
It’s been a bumpier ride for Bobrovsky. He’s 3-2-1 in six starts with a 3.47 GAA and . 875 save percentage, allowing three goals or more in all but one game.
3. Bottom six impact
It can’t be overstated how big a role Florida’s bottom six played last season, especially in the deep grind of their Stanley Cup run in the postseason. However, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kevin Stenlund, Kyle Okposo, Ryan Lomberg and Steven Lorentz are all gone, and the Panthers are trying to rebuild their identity in that bottom six.
On the other side, the Rangers bottom six is flourishing. The line of Will Cuylle-Filip Chytil-Kappo Kakko combined for three goals and eight points Tuesday in Montreal and are dominating puck possession and scoring chances 5v5 this season. They’ve been on the ice for seven goals for at even strength and zero against.
New York’s fourth line has been physical and chipped in offensively, as we saw when Brodzinski scored against the Canadiens. Brodzinski and Edstrom have earned playing time ahead of Rempe, and Carrick has impressed.
Right now, the Rangers have a distinct advantage over the Panthers when it comes to bottom-six play and production.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Brodzinski
Miller – Fox
Schneider – Trouba
Lindgren-Mancini
Shesterkin
Quick
Check back for updates after Rangers coach Peter Laviolette meets with the media Tuesday morning.
Rangers vs. Panthers: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who:Â New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
When: Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
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