2024 NHL playoffs - Panthers-Rangers Game 2 betting tips - ESPN

The New York Rangers are going to be hungry for redemption after getting blanked 3-0 to open to the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday. But that game was a lot closer than the score might indicate. A late first-period goal by Matthew Tkachuk was the only one Igor Shesterkin allowed to get by, as the other two came on an own goal by Alexis Lafreniere and an empty-netter. One might even argue the Rangers had the upper hand by the final period (12-9 in shots) and just ran out of time and luck.

That said, the narrative will have them fired up to find another gear to get back into this series — lest they get the same Eastern Conference final sweep treatment the Panthers gave to the Carolina Hurricanes last season.

Game 1's win also sent a few Panthers rising in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds, such as Aleksander Barkov, Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky, who recorded a shutout.

The Panthers, last year's Eastern Conference winner, are the current favorite to win the Stanley Cup, and you can find the rest of those futures odds here.

All odds accurate at time of publication. For more, go to ESPN BET.

Florida Panthers at New York Rangers

Eastern Conference final — Game 2 (Florida leads 1-0)

Madison Square Garden, New York; Friday, 8 p.m. ET, Watch live on ESPN

Game 2 Puck line: Panthers +1.5 (-325), Rangers -1.5 (+220)

Game 2 Over/Under: 5.5 (+105/-125)

Game 2 Moneyline: Panthers -110, Rangers -110

The lines don't necessarily agree that we will get some goals on display, but what would we be doing here if we just agreed with the lines every time? I do agree with the evenly matched lines, but I'm looking at attacking that over.

Both teams to score over 2.5 goals (+220). These teams boast plenty of offense and neither was on