Rangers draw Panthers for Eastern Conference Final showdown

The Eastern Conference Final is set.

The Rangers will face the Panthers, who are looking for a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final, after Florida finished off the Bruins in Game 6 of their series on Friday night with a 2-1 victory.

This series, which will start at Madison Square Garden with the date yet to be announced, pits the Metropolitan Division victors against the Atlantic Division winners.

Sam Reinhart #13, Gustav Forsling #42 and Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers celebrate the third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Six

Sam Reinhart #13, Gustav Forsling #42 and Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers celebrate the third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game 6

It is one Stanley Cup-winning coach, Peter Laviolette, against the coach he replaced to get his ring 20 years ago, Paul Maurice.

It is one legendary Russian goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, against another well on his way to all-time status, Igor Shesterkin.

It is one face of the league, Matthew Tkachuk, against another, Artemi Panarin.

Unlike Carolina in the second round, there is not a well-established familiarity between these teams.

They faced each other three times during the regular season, with Florida winning twice in regulation and the Rangers taking one in a shootout, but any bad blood between them will need to spring from whatever happens in this series.

Rangers left winger Chris Kreider celebrates his goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes

Rangers left winger Chris Kreider celebrates his goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes

The two sides have faced off just once before in the playoffs, with the Rangers beating Florida in five games in the 1997 Eastern Quarterfinals.

This, however, is a test befitting the Rangers as they look to defeat another franchise looking to call itself the new preeminent team in the Eastern Conference with the Lightning’s decline.

A roster that features high-end scorers in Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe alongside top defensemen Gustav Forsling, Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad should test the Rangers to their core.

But after Thursday’s comeback victory to put away Carolina, the Rangers will be ready to bet on themselves again.

Related Posts

Yankees Could Reunite With Star At Trade Deadline According To Insider

New York certainly will be busy around the trade deadline New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) walks off the field after the top of the…

Jesрerі Kotkаnіemі on Hіs Seаson, Offseаson Exрeсtаtіons аnd Pһysісаlіty

The 23-year-old center’s season was riddled with poor luck and inconsistency. The Carolina Hurricanes made a big bet on Jesperi Kotkaniemi. After only one year in the…

Red Sox’ Jаrren Durаn on расe for ‘one һell of а stаt,’ would be reсord

Jarren Duran leads the major leagues with eight triples and he’s on pace for 24. That would set a Red Sox single-season record. “That would be one…

Bаіley’s Dаіly: NHL Rumors; Krаken Hіre Dаn Bylsmа

In Tuesday’s edition of Bailey’s Daily, we’ll be talking the latest Philadelphia Flyers news, NHL news, stories, highlights, and more from the last… eight days. It’s been…

Wһаt do tісkets сost for NY Rаngers-Florіdа Pаntһers Gаme 5 аt MSG?

No matter what happens in Game 4, the New York Rangers are headed home at least one more time this season. As of now, the Broadway Blueshirts…

Best Pаtrісk Kаne destіnаtіons іf һe leаves Red Wіngs іn free аgenсy

Where will Patrick Kane end up? Patrick Kane bet on himself last summer. He decided against signing a contract in NHL Free Agency and waited until the…