Game #71: Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers Open Thread

The Eastern Conference’s top two teams are set to clash on national television tonight. The world’s most famous arena is the scene for the third and final regular season clash between the Rangers and Panthers. New York enters the game with a league-best .686 points percentage, and is fresh off a road victory over the league leading Boston Bruins, who currently sit one point ahead of the Blueshirts but have played two extra games.

Florida currently sits in second in the Atlantic Division behind Boston, but with three less points in three less games it currently holds the edge in points percentage compared to Boston, second only in the East to the Rangers. The Blueshirts will be looking to salvage one game of the season series having lost the previous two meetings and build some confidence against a potential Eastern Conference Finals opponent should both teams make it that far.

Player to Watch: Vincent Trocheck

Occupying his usual spot between Alexis Lafreniere and Artemiy Panarin, Trocheck will look to help the Rangers knock off his former team. Trocheck broke into the NHL with the Panthers and played the early portion of his career with the team before being traded to Carolina at the 2020 trade deadline. Keep an eye on Trocheck tonight as the Rangers and Panthers square off one final time in this 2023-24 regular season.

Enjoy the game!