The series shifts to Sunrise, with the best teams in the Eastern Conference having won one game apiece at Madison Square Garden. The New York Rangers will face the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Aremant Bank Arena. We're here to share our NHL odds series, make a Rangers-Panthers Game 3 prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.
The Rangers defeated the Panthers 2-1 in overtime in Game 2 to even the series. Now, they hope to regain the edge. Things started well for the Rangers in Game 2 when Vincent Trocheck found a pass from Adam Fox off a turnover and then put it into the back of the net to put New York up 1-0. Later, Carter Verhaeghe delivered a toe drag before slapping it into the net for a powerplay goal to even the game. It was a tie game after 60 minutes of hockey, which meant overtime. Eventually, Barclays Goodrow knocked it out of the air and passed it to Trocheck, who fed it back to him before he fired it into the net for the game-winning goal.
Here are the NHL Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Rangers-Panthers Game 3 Odds
New York Rangers: +1.5 (-210)
Moneyline: +130
Florida Panthers: -1.5 (+172)
Moneyline: -156
Over: 5.5 (+104)
Under: 5.5 (-128)
How to Watch Rangers vs. Panthers Game 3
Time: 3:05 PM ET/12:05 PM PT
TV: ABC, ESPN +, Sportsnet, CBC
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Rangers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Rangers did almost everything right in Game 2. Overall, they fired 30 shots. New York also won 52 percent of their faceoffs. Likewise, they delivered 52 hits and blocked 25 shots. But they struggled on special teams, as they went 0 for 4 on the powerplay and also allowed a powerplay goal.
Trocheck was the hero, being involved in both goals. Currently, he leads the Rangers with seven playoff goals and nine assists. Trocheck also has done well in the faceoff circle. So far, he has won 139 draws and lost 102. Mika Zibanejad did not get on the scoresheet and has not done anything yet in this series. Regardless, he has three goals and 11 assists. But Zibanejad also has won 106 draws and lost 94.
Artemi Panarin had an assist in Game 2. Now, he has four goals and eight assists. Chris Kreider has not scored in this series yet. However, he has seven goals and three assists.
The defense did an amazing job in Game 2 after struggling a little in Game 1. Ultimately, they also had great help from an exceptional goalie. Igor Shesterkin now is 9-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average with a save percentage of .926.
The Rangers will cover the spread if they can continue to generate scoring chances and win the faceoffs. Then, they need more exceptional defense to swing the series back in their favor.
Why The Panthers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Panthers lost this game because of simple mistakes that turned this game on its head. Substantially, they fired 27 shots but also won 48 percent of the faceoffs. Florida also delivered 42 hits and blocked 23 shots. Yet, they did well on special teams, going 1 for 2 on the powerplay and killing all four penalties.
Matthew Tkachuk did so well in Game 1 but did nothing in Game 2. Therefore, he still remains at five goals and 11 assists. Verhaeghe delivered the shot of the night to help keep the Panthers in the game. Thus, he now has eight goals and six assists.
Aleksander Barkov has not done anything over the last four playoff games. Ultimately, he has five goals and eight assists. Anton Lundell delivered a helper in Game 2. Now, he has two goals and eight assists.
The defense did a solid job of keeping themselves in the game. Overall, they also managed to keep the Rangers to two goals. Sergei Bobrovsky continues to shine. Currently, he is 9-4 with a 2.12 goals-against average and a save percentage of .912.
The Panthers will cover the spread if they can draw more penalties to give themselves more chances on the powerplay. Then, they need to avoid turning the puck over to prevent the Rangers from getting too many chances.
Final Rangers-Panthers Game 3 Prediction & Pick
The Rangers are 4-0 against the spread on the road during the playoffs. Ultimately, they have covered whether they have been the favorite or the underdog. The Panthers are just 2-4 against the spread at home in these playoffs. Yet, both wins were blowout victories. The Rangers have done well in these playoffs on the road. Additionally, the Panthers won 4-3 in the lone game these two played in Sunrise earlier this season. Expect the Rangers to keep this game tight, doing enough to cover the spread and possibly steal the game.
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Final Rangers-Panthers Game 3 Prediction & Pick: New York Rangers: +1.5 (-210)