The Rangers find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Florida in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Blueshirts are trailing in a series for the first time during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“It’s a seven-game series,” Rangers left winger Jimmy Vesey said. “Look at last round, the team responded and pushed, and we’ve been a team that’s responded all year and met every challenge.
“Our mindset is no different.”
The Rangers came out sluggish against the Panthers on Wednesday night and registered a measly five shots on goal in the first period. The Panthers put up nine shots in the opening frame, including the goal by Matthew Tkachuk at 16:26 that proved to be all the offense Florida would need.
During the second and third periods, the Rangers upped their intensity but couldn’t adjust to Florida’s physical style and defensive presence on the ice.
Despite the Rangers’ efforts late in the game, the Panthers’ exceptional performance cannot be overlooked. They only turned the puck over twice, compared to the Rangers’ 12 giveaways. Also, their goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, was outstanding, stopping 23 shots in recording his second shutout in 82 career playoff games (76 starts).
Bobrovsky stopped Will Cuylle’s shot on a breakaway and redirected Vincent Trocheck‘s shot from a pass from Alexis Lafreniere which might have been the best save of the night.
The Rangers were also 0-for-2 on the power play, including Bobrovsky stopping K’Andre Miller on a breakaway attempt. The Rangers’ failure to capitalize on their opportunities was a key takeaway from Game 1.
It also didn’t help that Lafreniere accidentally tapped the puck past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin to make the score 2-0 in the third period, which deflated just about everyone in Madison Square Garden.
“I thought we started out the second pretty good,” Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. “We had some chances the first four or five minutes. We took some chances and stuff. It is a good team that we are playing, but we executed a little bit, coming out of our own zone and through the neutral zone.
“We can learn what we can do better and get excited for Game 2.”
Although the Rangers have yet to face much adversity this postseason — they swept the Capitals in the first round and never trailed the Hurricanes in their 4-2 series win in Round 2 — they face a critical test in Game 2 at The Garden on Friday night.
However, the Panthers present a different challenge than the previous two teams the Rangers have played this postseason. Not only is Florida a physical team with talented stars such as Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart, they also feature one of the best goaltenders in the league in Bobrovsky.
Florida has won four straight games on the road and is 5-1 away from home this postseason. The Panthers have also won seven consecutive conference final games.
The Panthers have a habit of making life tough for the winners of the Presidents’ Trophy (awarded to the team with the most regular season points). The Rangers took the prize this season. Last year, the Bruins amassed 135 points, the most of any team to win the Presidents’ Trophy since its inception in 1985-86. Boston was then eliminated in the first round by the Panthers, who advanced to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Golden Knights.
“I think we can play better,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “I don’t think that was the best version of ourselves. So, we will look to see what they did and what we can do better in all areas of the game. I think it is more for us to give and more for us to do out there. Game 1 didn’t go our way and we have to focus on Game 2 and make that the priority.”
