NHL Best Bets
Personally, it has been a phenomenal start to the conference finals, as I am 3-0 thus far on NHL best bets between the two different series. Tonight, the East is back up as the New York Rangers look to tie the series at 1-1 on home ice after a disappointing 3-0 loss in Game One against the Florida Panthers.
The Rangers have been able to bounce back all season long, so I’m expecting a much better effort from them tonight.
Let’s get into it.
Florida at NY Rangers (-112, 5.5)
Just as most people could have anticipated the goalie duel between Sergei Bobrovsky and Igor Shesterkin was alive and well, but it was the Panthers netminder who came away with the shutout victory. Bobrovsky wasn’t tested all that much, as he only faced 24 shots on goal, but tonight you can expect a little more urgency out of the New York Rangers.
Igor Shesterkin gave up two goals against on 26 shots faced, but those were a very uncharacteristic two goals that he allowed, I wouldn’t expect that again tonight. There’s no denying the fact that the Panthers play a very sound defensive game, but the Rangers had their fair share of golden opportunities that just didn’t find the back of the net.
The Rangers actually had more expected goals in Game One, winning that battle 2.82-2.39 and they had seven high-danger chances as opposed to the Panthers four. Based on the eye test, it certainly seemed as though Florida was the better team on Wednesday night, which nobody is denying, but the Rangers were also not as bad as what it may have looked like.
The Rangers need to find a way to play with more urgency tonight, just like they have throughout the season when they have needed it most.
Look for some of their big guns to be difference makers tonight, like Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck.
NHL Best Bet(s): Mika Zibanejad over 2.5 shots on goal +100 (play to -115) | Vincent Trocheck over 2.5 shots on goal -150 (play to -165) | New York Rangers ML -112 (play to -125)
May Record: 30-20 (9.22 units)
2023-24 record: 183–171 (-19.47 units)
