Only two teams remain in the East. Simulating the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Rangers versus the Florida Panthers in NHL 24

The end of the NHL season is on the horizon as we hit late May and only four teams remain in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

We have the top two teams from the Eastern Conference ready to duel it out for the Prince of Wales Trophy and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the New York Rangers versus the Florida Panthers. 

These two franchises have only met in the playoffs once dating back to round one in 1997. The Rangers led by Wayne Gretzky, Esa Tikkanen, and Mark Messier eliminated Florida in five games but it was a close series with three out of the five games being decided by one goal. 

Our first-round series simulation for New York against Washington had them eliminate the Capitals in five games. The Rangers obviously made even quicker work of them in real life with a 4-0 sweep. 

Then our second-round simulation against Carolina saw New York rally back from a 3-0 series deficit to force a Game 7 but only to lose. The Rangers in real life defeated the Hurricanes in six games.

Onto the other side. Florida's first-round series simulation against their state rivals Tampa Bay had them falter in five games. Instead, that was reversed in real life as the Panthers eliminated the Lightning in five. 

NHL 24 predicted another series loss for Florida in our second-round simulation against the Boston Bruins. The roles were once again reversed as the Panthers sent the Bruins packing at the conclusion of Game 6. 

The Panthers took their season series against the Rangers 2-0-1 and they will look to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row.

The series simulation started in favour of the road team with the Panthers taking Game 1 before New York rattled off three wins in a row and held a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Sergei Bobrovsky stepped up in Games 5 & 6 and helped Florida win consecutive games to send this series to a sudden-death Game 7.

In Game 7, each team scored twice in the first period. New York outscored Florida 2-1 in the second frame and headed into the third with a 4-3 lead. Overtime looming? Not in this simulation. The Rangers added two more goals and defeated the reigning Eastern Conference champs 6-3 in Game 7 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. 

Mika Zibanejad was the MVP of this series. He led all players in points with nine and his four-point performance in Game 7 was the deciding factor.

Igor Shesterkin outdueled his countrymate Bobrovsky, putting up a .920 save percentage, 2.59 goals-against average, and made 38 saves on 41 shots in Game 7 where Bobrovsky allowed six goals on 39 shots.

The most disappointing player in the simulation was Florida defenceman Brandon Montour who only recorded two assists and was a minus-6.

With how evenly matched these two teams are from their star players, forward depth, defence core, and goaltending. This series has all the makings to be one of the best and most competitive Eastern Conference Finals we've seen in quite some time. 

Game 1 is at MSG with puck drop coming just after 8pm EST.

For more NHL 24 playoff simulations, bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site.