While elimination is not possible in Game 2, the Rangers are entering a must-win sitiation that will determine the entire series.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final will dictate the trajectory of this series.
Why is this game so important?
In Game 1, the Florida Panthers defeated the New York Rangers 3-0 at Madison Square Garden.
The matchup wasn’t particularly close as Florida dominated physically while the Rangers just couldn’t get anything going offensively.
New York will be put to the test tonight in what will be a must-win situation. It’s not an elimination game, but it almost feels that the Rangers season is on the line.
Either Game 1 was a fluke and just an overall off night for the Rangers, or the Panthers are just a better team.
While not impossible to come back from, losing two consecutive games at home would be extremely problematic for the Rangers and essentially crush their hopes at winning their first Stanley Cup victory since 1994.
This Panthers team is a tough and talented bunch with very few weaknesses, so giving them a 2-0 series lead going into their building is nearly impossible to recover from.
However, if the Rangers win Game 2, it will show that they are just as good as Florida and the series will be right back to where it was prior to Wednesday night’s debacle.
It’s easy to say the Rangers are the best team in the NHL since they won the Presidents’ Trophy this year, but the Panthers looked of a team that is better equipped for the playoffs and it’s on New York to shift that narrative in Game 2.
The Rangers have proven to be able to bounce back from these kinds of poor performances and also certainly have the starpower to counter Florida’s deadly lineup.
Tonight will be their biggest test of the season.