The New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers return to Madison Square Garden tonight for Game 5. With the last three games needing overtime, hockey fans should be sure to tune into the game at “ The World’s Most Famous Arena” if any of the previous games in this series are any indication.
The Florida Panthers escaped South Florida’s matchups with a series split, however, there were certainly a lot of concerned faces in the Amerant Bank Arena seats as the ice surfaces were refreshed for the extra period. One minute into the overtime period, Panthers elite power play specialist, Sam Reinhart, scored to end Game 4.
With Florida’s top players showing out, it begs the question. Where exactly are the New York Rangers star players heading into Game 5 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals?
No Goals For New York Rangers Top Line In East Finals
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The New York Rangers’ top stars have been blanketed by Florida coverage through the initial games of the series. Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider combined for over 110 goals during the 2024 regular season. In the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, the forwards have combined goal-scoring output that is as good as mine during this postseason. Nolla. Null. Nil. ZERO.
This isn’t to claim that these players have done nothing in the series. Breadman (Panarin) has three assists in four games! Head Coach Peter Laviolette credits the Panthers for making those players work on the defensive end more than taking issue with the play of his team’s stars.
“(You) think those players that you’re talking about, like they want to get out of the defensive zone,” Laviolette said. “They want to get into the offensive zone where they can make an impact in the game. And so that’s something I thought we did a much better job at home of controlling the play.”
These three Broadway hockey players scored 267 points leading the New York Rangers to the President’s Trophy as the best team in the NHL in 2024. With a chance at the Stanley Cup Finals on the line over the next two (or three) games, the Blueshirts need more than three assists from these high-quality players.
Florida Panthers MUST Steal Game At Madison Square Garden
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The Florida Panthers lazily strolled into Madison Square Garden in Game 1 and took advantage of an unfocused New York Rangers team with a 3-0 shutout victory. The Blueshirts responded in the next two games with overtime wins. Florida’s rebuttal occurred with their own OT win in Game 4. This series has been nuts, people!
The 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, just like the incredible series occurring out West, is reduced to a best-of-3 series. Florida players understand they need to steal another game on the road in this series to reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals and avenge last season’s Finals loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere up in New York for Game 5,” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “At the end of the day, they earned it. They had more points in the regular season, so it’s up to us to go in there and just win a road game like we have this year.”
New York Rangers Hope For Better Fate In Game 5
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The New York Rangers find themselves on a ride they would rather get off regarding Game 5 in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers have found themselves on the losing side of the last four Game 5 matchups they’ve played. In their extended history, New York is 30-44 in Game 5.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers sports a winning mark in Game 5 in their franchise history at 8-5. The Panthers are 3-2 on the road in such postseason matchups.
Game 5 between the New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers is scheduled for 8 pm EST this evening.
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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