Following a decisive series win against the Carolina Hurricanes, the New York Rangers have secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the Hurricanes defeated in six games, the Rangers now await the outcome of the ongoing battle between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins to determine their next opponent.
The schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals is set, with the first game taking place at Madison Square Garden on May 22. The Rangers will enjoy home-ice advantage for Games 1 and 2 before heading on the road for Games 3 and 4. If the series extends beyond four games, the Rangers will host Game 5 and Game 7, with Game 6 being played on the road. The specific dates and times are as follows:
– Game 1: Wednesday, May 22 at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.
– Game 2: Friday, May 24 at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.
– Game 3: Sunday, May 26 at Boston/Florida, 3 p.m.
– Game 4: Tuesday, May 28 at Boston/Florida, 8 p.m.
– Game 5 (if necessary): Thursday, May 30 at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.
– Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, June 1 at Boston/Florida, 8 p.m.
– Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, June 3 at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.
During the regular season, the Rangers faced the Florida Panthers three times, managing only one win out of the trio of games. The Panthers took the first two matchups with scores of 4-3 on December 29, 2023, and 4-2 on March 4. The Rangers secured a narrow victory in their final regular-season meeting, winning 4-3 in a shootout on March 23.
Conversely, the Rangers had a more successful regular season against the Boston Bruins, sweeping their three-game series. In November, the Rangers claimed a 7-4 victory in their sole home game against the Bruins. They followed up with a tight 2-1 overtime win in December, with Vincent Trocheck scoring twice, including the game-winner. The final regular-season meeting in March saw the Rangers overturn a first-period deficit to win 5-2 in Boston.
As the Rangers prepare for the Eastern Conference Finals, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups regardless of whether they face the Panthers or the Bruins. Both potential opponents have proven challenging in the past, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.