Panthers vs Rangers NHL Game 1 Predictions, Odds, & Best Bets for Eastern Conference Finals (5/22)

Today's Panthers vs. Rangers Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 predictions and best NHL bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NHL to the NBA and everything in between.

The NHL postseason finally reaches the next stage on Wednesday when the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers collide for Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Tonight's showdown takes place at Madison Square Garden with an 8 p.m. ET start time.

THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL BEGINS TONIGHT‼️ #StanleyCup

Who is taking Game 1? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YJKEY7KXUE

— NHL (@NHL) May 22, 2024

The Panthers overcame a grueling six-game series against the Boston Bruins to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Rangers avoided nearly blowing a 3-1 lead as they secured a 4-2 series victory over the Carolina Hurricanes last round.

Does Florida have what it takes to win on the road tonight? Or will New York successfully capitalize on its home-ice advantage?

Tonight's ECF showdown is laced with NHL betting opportunities, so let's look at some of them as we dive into my Panthers vs. Rangers Game 1 predictions and best bets.

Panthers vs Rangers NHL Betting Tonight (5/22)

Panthers vs Rangers Game 1 Information

• Matchup: A1. Florida Panthers vs. M1. New York Rangers (NYR leads 1-0)
• Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
• Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
• Game Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Panthers vs. Rangers Game 1: ESPN, ESPN+

Rangers vs Panthers NHL Betting Odds

Rangers vs. Panthers NHL odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, May 22 at 10:16 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Panthers vs Rangers Puck Line

• Florida Panthers -1.5 (+245)
• New York Rangers +1.5 (-290)

Rangers vs Panthers Over/Under

• Over 5.5 Goals (-106)
• Under 5.5 Goals (-110)

Panthers vs Rangers Moneyline

• Florida Panthers (-110)
• New York Rangers (-102)

You might also like: NHL Eastern, Western Conference Finals Odds & Predictions

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NHL Best Bets & Picks Today

Are you hoping to get in on even more NHL betting action today? Be sure to check out our NHL picks page for consensus picks and odds for every 2023-24 postseason game.

You can also check out:

• Latest NHL odds
• NHL best bets and predictions
• NHL betting guide

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Panthers vs Rangers NHL Betting Trends

• Florida is 4-1 straight up in its last five road games.
• The Rangers are 6-1 straight up in their last seven road games.
• The total hit the Over in six of Florida's last nine games.
• The total hit the Over in five of the Rangers' last seven games.
• The total hit the Over in 18 of the last 19 Panthers-Rangers matchups.

Panthers vs Rangers NHL Game 1 Predictions & Pick (5/22)

The Panthers and Rangers are both four wins away from playing for the Stanley Cup as their Game 1 showdown looms. Both clubs have earned the reputation of being two of the best teams in the NHL and now it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is.

These Eastern Conference juggernauts collided three times during the regular season, resulting in a pair of victories for the Panthers. Having said that, two of their meetings were decided by a single goal while one even needed a shootout to decide, highlighting just how evenly matched these teams can be.

Having said that, it's been the Rangers who've gotten the better of the Panthers in recent years. Not only is New York 6-3 SU across its last nine meetings with Florida, but the Rangers have also beaten the Panthers in six of their last eight clashes at Madison Square Garden.

Even then, Paul Maurice's club shouldn't be underestimated. Let's not forget that the Panthers are 4-1 SU on the road during the 2023-24 NHL playoffs.

The Panthers haven't had much recent luck at Madison Square Garden. Will that change in this series? 

The Panthers and Rangers have been even when it comes to offense and defense this postseason, however, it's the latter who has the special teams advantage. While Florida's 22.0% power play and 86.1% penalty kill percentages are solid, New York has it beat with 31.4% and 89.5% success rates, respectively.

Both teams are also quite deep, so it wouldn't be surprising if this series comes down to goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky has been up and down for the Panthers thus far, playing to a 2.37 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. He's also 6-3 SU in his last nine starts against New York, however, he only has a 3.30 GAA and .896 SV% in those tilts.

As for the Rangers, Igor Shesterkin has backstopped his way to a 2.40 GAA and .923 SV% this postseason. He's also been near-unstoppable in his last eight starts at Madison Square Garden, tallying a 7-1 SU record with a 2.00 GAA, .930 SV%, and one shutout victory.

Will G Igor Shesterkin steal another win for the Rangers tonight? 

I understand how good the Panthers are, but I can't go against the Rangers as home underdogs. The same thing happened when they faced the Hurricanes and look how that happened. The Rangers are on another level at MSG and have consistently proved their haters wrong. With the special teams and goaltending advantages, I see it happening again.

With that being said, the Over on the 5.5-goal total is the best bet. After all, the Over is both 6-3 in Florida's last nine games and 5-2 in New York's seven previous contests.

Not only that, but the Over is also 18-1 in the last 19 Panthers-Rangers games with every single one of those matchups featuring at least six goals.

Panthers vs Rangers Game 1 NHL Prediction: NYR wins

Best Panthers vs Rangers NHL Bet: o5.5 Total Goals (-106)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Panthers vs. Rangers NHL picks today over at BetOnline

Best Panthers vs Rangers NHL Game 1 Player Prop (5/22)

When it comes to the best Panthers vs. Rangers Game 1 player prop, I'm siding with Chris Kreider to record over 0.5 points (-145).

Kreider has been a beast throughout the playoffs, racking up 10 points in as many games. The veteran forward has finished with the Over in seven of 10 games thus far and is coming off a hat trick performance in his latest outing. That's without mentioning that the Over is 6-1 in his last seven home games, too.

Having recorded at least one point in six of his last nine meetings with the Panthers, it's clear that you can't go wrong with this Kreider-based prop.

Best Panthers vs Rangers Prop Bet: Chris Kreider o0.5 Points (-145)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Panthers vs. Rangers NHL picks today over at BetOnline

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Panthers vs Rangers Eastern Conference Finals Schedule

• Game 1: @ Madison Square Garden — Wednesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 2: @ Madison Square Garden — Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 3: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Sunday, May 26 at 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 4: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Tuesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 5: @ Madison Square Garden — Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 6: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 7: @ Madison Square Garden — Monday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)