NHL Playoffs Rangers at Panthers Game 6 Betting Preview
New York Tries to Stave off Elimination
It’s do or die for New York as they head into the Rangers at Panthers Game 6 betting matchup. Peter Laviolette’s President’s Trophy winning team find themselves on the brink of elimination after two straight losses have put them in a 3-2 series hole against Florida.
The Panthers are ready to punch their second straight ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals, and they’d likely prefer to win the Eastern Conference on their own ice. Florida has been a -157 and a -160 favorite at home so far this series, but oddsmakers like the clincher here as they’ve upped the odds to -170 for Game 6.
Why the Rangers Have Value in Game 6
New York may be facing elimination, but they were also still the best team in the NHL during the regular season amassing 114 points. Plus, it’s not like the Rangers are getting dominated this series, as the last four games have been decided by one goal with three of those going into OT. In a series where a single goal will likely decide the game, the +140 underdog definitely has value.
It will be hard for the Rangers to get the win on the road, but it’s not unprecedented as New York took Game 3 5-4 as +141 underdogs. The Rangers were 25-12-4 on the road during the regular season, so they can pick up wins in away games.
Giving home ice back after a 3-2 loss at Madison Square Garden on Thursday isn’t ideal, but Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin still had a good night stopping 34 of 36 shots (.944). Chris Kreider also scored for the first time this series after finding the back of the net five times last round vs. Carolina so there are some good things to take out of the loss.
Why the Panthers Have Value in Game 6
New York was a very good road team during the regular season so they are not instantly discounted here, but the Panthers were also 26-13-2 on their own ice. The Rangers had 30 wins at home this year – the most in the NHL – and Florida has already beaten them twice at MSG this series.
One thing about this Florida team is that nothing really fazes them. Last season they were supposed to get rolled by a Bruins team that set league records in wins and points, and the Panthers went out and eliminated them in the first round. Florida can now knock out a President’s Trophy winner for the second straight year and then can get the bad taste out of their mouth following last season’s 4-1 series defeat to Vegas in the Finals.
Shesterkin has largely been solid in net for the Rangers, but Sergei Bobrovsky has gone toe to toe with the New York net minder. Save for a rough game 3, Bobrovsky has surrendered 2 goals or less in every other outing this series and has a 2.27 GAA this postseason.
Free Rangers at Panthers Game 6 Betting Pick
The NHL loves a Game 7, especially when it involves a big market team like the Rangers. New York has already picked up a road win this series, and for some reason it just feels like the President’s Trophy winners head back to the Garden for an elimination game.
Free Pick: Rangers +140
