Rest and Preparation for the Rangers
The New York Rangers have been granted an additional day of rest after their series win against the Carolina Hurricanes, as they await their matchup against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers will not hit the ice at Madison Square Garden until Wednesday, giving them ample time to recover and strategize for the formidable Panthers.
Key Questions for the Rangers
As the Rangers gear up for Game 1, there are several questions looming over the team. One of the most critical is which goaltender holds the advantage. In their series against Carolina, New York had a clear goaltending advantage with Igor Shesterkin’s outstanding performance. Shesterkin has been exceptional in the postseason, boasting a career save percentage of .927. His ability to make timely saves was instrumental in securing the series win against the Hurricanes. On the other hand, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, had an impressive regular season but has struggled in the playoffs, with a save percentage of .902. The question remains whether Bobrovsky can step up and match Shesterkin’s performance, and if he does, can the Rangers’ skaters outmatch the Panthers?
Another important question for the Rangers is determining their No. 12 forward. With several players nearing full recovery, including Blake Wheeler, Filip Chytil, Jonny Brodzinski, and Matt Rempe, Coach Peter Laviolette must decide who will fill this crucial role. Wheeler brings a wealth of experience with over 1,100 NHL games under his belt but might face challenges returning from injury at 37 years old. Chytil has shown promise but may still need more time to fully recover from his previous injury. Brodzinski offers consistency but lacks the flashiness of other options. Rempe could be an impactful option for setting the tone physically but may be better suited for early series games.
The Performance of Artemi Panarin
Artemi Panarin’s performance will be another key factor for the Rangers. In Game 6 against Carolina, he delivered a standout performance with two assists. However, his overall performance throughout the series was inconsistent. While he had eight points in six games, he went quiet in games 4 and 5, accumulating only two shots on goal and a minus-5 rating. The Rangers will need Panarin to consistently perform at his best to have a chance against the Panthers.
Dominance of Special Teams
The Rangers had the upper hand in special teams during their series against Carolina, which played a significant role in their victory. Despite being outscored at five-on-five, the Rangers had as many short-handed goals as the Hurricanes did on the power play. The Rangers’ power play also had five goals in the series. However, the Panthers present a new challenge, as they were top-10 in both power play and penalty kill efficiency during the regular season. The Rangers’ special teams will need to make necessary adjustments to maintain their dominance in this crucial aspect of the game.
Performance of Defensemen, especially Adam Fox
The Rangers’ defensemen did not have a stellar series against Carolina, with Jacob Trouba facing struggles and the Adam Fox looking less than 100 percent. Fox’s collision with Nick Jensen in a previous game seemed to have impacted his performance, as he averaged fewer minutes on the ice and had only two assists in the series. The extra rest before the Eastern Conference final could be beneficial for Fox’s recovery, as the Rangers will need him at his best to face the tough Panthers.
In Conclusion
As the Rangers prepare for their matchup against the Florida Panthers, several key questions and factors will determine their success. Goaltending, the performance of key players like Panarin and Fox, and maintaining dominance in special teams will be crucial for the Rangers to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. With adequate rest and preparation, the Rangers have the potential to overcome the challenges posed by the Panthers and bring the Stanley Cup back to New York.