Game 4 of any playoff series often represents a tipping point. Sometimes, the situation sees a postseason squad fighting to maintain their playoff lives. Other times, as we find in our New York Rangers versus Florida Panthers series, one team is looking to even the series. For the Panthers, a loss tonight would put them on the brink of elimination, heading back to the Big Apple. However, an important victory sends the series back to New York, and they are all tied up at 2.
After a flurry of goals finding the back of the net in Game 3, both starting goaltenders will need to bring their “A” game on Tuesday night when the puck touches the ice for Game 4.
Florida Needs Big Response on Tuesday Night To Even Series
Following the 5-4 overtime loss, the Florida Panthers did not hang their heads. Florida forward Sam Bennett put the situation into contest pretty well. “You wake up, the sun is shining, everything’s good here,” Bennett said. “It’s not too difficult.”
What was not so bring and sunny for the Panthers was scoring 4 goals past Igor Shesterkin over the weekend. Still, Florida found themselves watching the Rangers celebrating in the corner of Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida at 5:35 of the overtime period on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into Game 4, the Panthers will look to replicate their attack from the weekend.
Florida Panthers Limited Gameplan Adjustments for Game 4
The Florida Panthers do not feel like there is much to change in the effort against New York in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. The Cats have managed to score against Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin effectively with multi-goal outputs across this series.
“At no point will our game plan be, ‘Hey, let’s shoot fewer pucks for better opportunities,’” Maurice said. “What we’re trying to create is certainly goals, but we scored three in Game 1 and four in Game 3. It’s not goals. We have to defend. … We have a pretty good idea of where we can be marginally better with the puck — I say marginally because we can make slight improvements with it — but we’re pretty good with the puck.”
If the Panthers can slow down that fierce New York Rangers attack, then there is a chance to reduce the game down to just a best-of-3 game series over a potential Games 5-7.
Trouba Fined Max Amount for Elbowing Penalty In Game 3
One of the key plays in Game 3 was a 2-minute elbowing minor assessed to New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. The second-period play was reviewed for a major penalty, but with no clear-cut evidence to indicate his intent, the original call on the ice stood.
When asked postgame about the situation and impending fine for the Rangers defenseman, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice sarcastically quipped, “Take the hat, pass it around. Poor lad. Poor Jake,” Maurice told reporters. “He won’t be able to eat.”
To put the Florida coach quotes in context, Jacob Trouba is currently making $8 million/year in the sixth season of a seven-year contract signed with the New York Rangers in July 2019.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers. Additional insightful sports articles are located here.
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