Game #36: New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers Open Thread

For the final time in the 2024 calendar year, the Blueshirts will take the ice tonight in a building that might bring up some bad memories. Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise is the scene as the Rangers visit the Florida Panthers in a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Final.

Peter Laviolette's squad was last in this arena for the final game of their 2023-24 campaign, a painful Game 6 defeat against the Panthers to get bounced out of Game 6 of the conference finals for the second time in three seasons. With how things have gone this season, playing conference finals hockey once again doesn't appear to be in the cards for New York barring a massive turnaround. The struggles continues with Saturday's dismal showing in Tampa, and the reigning Stanley Cup champions aren't likely to be any easier for the Rangers.

Player to Watch: Alexis Lafreniere

The long-awaited breakout for the former first overall pick occurred during last season's playoffs, culminating in Lafreniere being one of New York's best players in the playoff series against the Panthers. Lafreniere's growth carried over into the early portion of this season, and he was rewarded with a seven-year contract extension in October. Lafreniere is in a funk at the moment having recorded no goals and one assist in his last games, but saw time on the top power play unit in favor of Mika Zibanejad on Saturday. Keep an eye on Lafreniere to see if he can recreate the magic that he found in Florida last spring and help the Rangers end 2024 on a high note.

Enjoy the game!