The Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs features two formidable teams: the New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers. Both teams have impressive rosters, with talented players leading the charge. The Rangers are looking to win their first Stanley Cup since 1994, while the Panthers are aiming for their first championship in franchise history.
The goaltending matchup between Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers is expected to be a key factor in this series. Shesterkin has not allowed more than two goals in any of his last five games, with an impressive .921 save percentage and 1.62 goals against average.
Bobrovsky, on the other hand, has solid postseason numbers with an .902 save percentage and 2.37 goals-against average. The Panthers are the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference playoffs, averaging 3.55 goals per game.
Defensively, both teams have been stingy, with the Panthers allowing only 2.45 goals per game and limiting opponents to an average of 24.1 shots on net.
The Rangers have five players with at least 10 points in the playoffs so far: Mika Zibanejad (14), Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Adam Fox. The Panthers have three such players: Aleksander Barkov (8), Carter Verhaeghe (7), and Matthew Tkachuk (6).
The series is expected to be closely contested, with both teams bringing their A-game to the ice. The neutral zone will likely be a battleground, as each team looks to impose its will on the other.
Stay tuned for more coverage of this exciting Eastern Conference Final matchup.