The New York Rangers have won consecutive games in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Our best NHL picks and Rangers vs. Panthers predictions are calling for the Cats to strike back and even it up with a home-ice win in Game 4 on Tuesday, May 28. For more analysis of this contest, check out Josh Inglis' Rangers vs Panthers props!
Rangers vs Panthers prediction
My best bet
Panthers moneyline (-162 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
The Florida Panthers generating 108 shot attempts in Game 3 garnered lots of attention, but I’m more interested in them doubling up the New York Rangers in high-danger scoring chances (16-8) and recording 68.1% of the expected goals.
Rangers starter Igor Shesterkin was solid but an .892 save percentage, including a .900 mark on medium-danger shots, is nothing to write home about. Unfortunately for the Cats, their No. 1 Sergei Bobrovsky was worse, and there were defensive breakdowns directly tied to multiple Rangers goals.
I expect a bounceback defending showing for Florida after holding opponents to two goals or fewer in each of its seven games before Sunday’s 5-4 loss. Plus, the Panthers have surrendered just 2.43 goals per game with a second-ranked 88.6 penalty-kill percentage in the postseason. Of course, Bobrovsky impressed to the tune of a .935 SV% and 1.39 GAA during the noted seven-game stretch, too.
Additionally, New York scoring five times on just 43 attempts, 23 shots, and eight HDCF is going to be difficult to replicate. The Rangers finished with 1.77 expected goals in Game 3, after all. I’m anticipating Game 4 playing out similarly as Game 3, expect the score to reflect the play more so than it did Sunday.
Finally, I prefer paying the higher vig on the Panthers moneyline than betting the -1.5 puck line or Panthers in regulation because there are multiple ways for Florida to win without those two bets cashing. Additionally, the odds for all three bets are correlated.
Rangers vs Panthers same-game parlay (SGP)
Panthers moneyline
Under 5.5
There were only six goals across the first two games of this series and both teams have been solid defensively during the postseason. New York has allowed just 2.62 goals per game and is tied for third with an 85.7 PK%.
A low-scoring game is also the blueprint for success for both clubs. Game 3 was an afternoon tilt that I expect contributed to the high score and will stand as an outlier once the series wraps up.
There’s also a small edge in this SGP through DraftKings compared to the +181 FanDuel odds. The +194 DraftKings price provides a positive expected value of 5%.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Panthers odds
Rangers vs Panthers live odds
Rangers vs Panthers opening odds
- Puck line: New York +1.5 (-190) | Florida -1.5 (+160)
- Moneyline: New York +135 | Florida -160
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Rangers vs Panthers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- There has been a consensus move to the Florida side of this moneyline and Pinnacle opened Panthers -163 and was as steep as -173. Similarly, bet365 has moved from an opening Florida -160 to -180 as of Tuesday morning.
- I also respect the movement because this is a mature market that’s been available since early Sunday evening.
- The total has seen slight movement to the Over 5.5, but it hasn’t been enough to impact my stance on the Under.
- Plus, the Under is still carrying the higher vig across the board.
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Rangers vs Panthers trend
The Panthers had surrendered two goals or fewer in seven consecutive games before Sunday’s 5-4 overtime loss. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Panthers.
Rangers vs Panthers game info
| Location: | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL |
| Date: | Tuesday, 5-28-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Rangers vs Panthers latest injuries
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