New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Prediction NHL Picks 5/28/24 (2024)

Panthers Looking for Answers on Home Ice

The Florida Panthers come into this game down 2-1 in the series, but they have played very well in the first three games. Florida won game one by a score of 3-0 in New York, but dropped games two and three in overtime. The Panthers played well in spurts in game two and they dominated the third period and overtime in game three, but came up just short in overtime. I expect Florida will come out very strong in this game, but need a solid performance by Bobrovsky.

Florida defeated Tampa Bay in five games in the first round and they defeated Boston in six games in the second round, but they are just 1-3 in their last four home games. The Panthers are scoring 3.36 goals per game, while going 23.1% on the power play and 88.6% on the penalty kill in the postseason. Matthew Tkachuk has led Florida with five goals, 13 assists, and 53 shots on goal, while Carter Verhaeghe has added eight goals, eight assists, and 55 shots on goal.

Starting Goalies

The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 9-5-0 this postseason with a 2.31 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 10-3-0 this postseason with a 2.33 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.

Why the Florida Panthers will win

• The Panthers have won each of their last three night games at Amerant Bank Arena after coming off overtime.
• The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last three night games after coming off overtime.
• The Rangers have lost the second period in four of their last five road games following a road win.

Total Goals Facts

• Nine of the Rangers' last 10 road games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Eight of the last nine night games between the Rangers and Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Panthers' last 13 home games against the Rangers.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Rangers' last 13 road games against the Panthers.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Carter Verhaeghe has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers' last four games against the Rangers at Amerant Bank Arena.
• Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in three of the Panthers' last four home playoff games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Carter Verhaeghe has recorded at least one point in each of the Panthers' last seven games as favorites against the Rangers.
• Gustav Forsling ranks 1st in the league for Plus/Minus (+56) this season.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Artemi Panarin has scored a goal in four of the Rangers' last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
• Mika Zibanejad has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Rangers' last eight road games.
• Vincent Trocheck has recorded at least one point in each of the Rangers' last six games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Alexander Wennberg has scored two goals against the Panthers this season - equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Florida Panthers rank 8th in the league in power play percentage this season (23.51%).
• The Florida Panthers rank 1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (1116).
• The New York Rangers are one of five teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The New York Rangers rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.39).

New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Prediction

Florida comes into this game down 2-1 in the series, and they have struggled in their last four home games, but I expect a strong start from them here. Florida has been the better team in two of the first three games and had a ton of chances to win game three. Bobrovsky was not great in game three, but I do expect a better performance here. It felt like New York was barely able to hang on in game three, and I think Florida is going to jump all over them here. My New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers prediction is for the Panthers to win by at least two goals.