The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers will square off in Game 6 of the East Finals in NHL action at 8:00 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. At home, the Panthers are moneyline favorites, with odds of -175.
The Rangers' defeat in Game 5 has left them with a 3-2 deficit in this series. They had a small lead of 1-0 to start, but defensive lapses ultimately forced their hand to allow too many goals.
Chris Kreider landed a goal and provided an assist in Game 5, while Alexis Lafreniere was also successful in landing a goal to give their offense a boost. Igor Shesterkin was able to block 34 of 36 shots, which is a crazy amount to try and defend against. Assuming the defense can limit the number of shots he has to defend again, the better off they are.
To capitalize on the upcoming game, the Rangers must reduce the number of shots Shesterkin has to take on, as 36 shots are difficult to work with. The Rangers' offense ranked sixth, and their defense came in seventh in the regular season. In the playoffs, Vincent Trocheck has compiled eight goals and 11 assists.
The Panthers are only one victory away from playing in the Stanley Cup Final. Even though they had a variety of closely contested matches, they should have confidence going into this game.
Their recent victory showcased two third-period goals. Sam Bennett showcased an impressive performance, as he netted a goal and gained an assist, while Sergei Bobrovsky was able to stop 25 out of 27 shots taken at him.
Over the last two games in this series, the Rangers have allowed three goals each time. It is no secret that they will need a strong defensive plan. On top of that, they must be more aggressive in order to score against the Panthers.
While competing in the regular season, the Panthers ranked 11th in offense and seventh in defense, and they appeared to rely heavily on their defensive play. Matthew Tkachuk has put together five goals and 14 assists in the postseason, making him a threat to the Rangers, who have had issues defending.
MyBookie offers the odds for the New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers matchup, indicating a home advantage for the Panthers. They are at their best when playing at home, but not by much.
The Panthers have done a great job of taking over the third period in three out of their last four matchups against opponents that are on a losing streak. In other words, look for the Panthers to close out this series at home.
