2024 Eastern Conference Final: New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Game 4 Open Thread

After the Rangers escaped Game 3 with an overtime victory thanks to a Herculean effort out of Igor Shesterkin, Peter Laviolette's squad will now look to win a second consecutive contest in Florida and secure a stranglehold on the Eastern Conference Final. New York has already re-secured the home ice advantaged it ceded with its Game 1 defeat, but will look to put itself on the cusp of a berth in the Stanley Cup Final with a win tonight.

Much was made about the Panthers 108-44 edge in shot attempts in Game 3, and the Rangers will likely need to reel that number in if they'd like to win once more. Alexis Lafreniere and Barclay Goodrow found the back of the net multiple times on Sunday before Alex Wennberg recorded the overtime winner, and New York's stars will need to pick up some of the slack tonight.

Player to Watch: Mika Zibanejad

Much was made of Mika Zibanejad's struggles at even strength even as the Blueshirts secured the Presidents' Trophy, and those struggles have continued deep into the playoffs. New York's top center is in the midst of an eight game goal drought, having not scored since a multi-goal effort in Game 1 against Carolina, and has only tallied three goals in 13 playoffs games. Of those three, only one has come at even strength, and Zibanejad will need to turn that around if the Rangers want to continue their success. Keep an eye on Zibanejad as he looks to bust out of his ill-timed slump.

Enjoy the game!