Rangers eliminated from NHL playoffs as Panthers head to Stanley Cup final

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Ryan Hall
June 1, 2024 (11:15 PM)

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In a shocking and disappointing end to their season, the New York Rangers were eliminated this evening from the NHL playoffs as the Florida Panthers won 2-1 and move on to the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in two years.

Many across the Rangers fan base felt that this was the year that the Rangers would go to the finals and erase their 30-year Stanley Cup drought. The team had a great season and won the president's trophy along with the most wins in New York Rangers history at 54.

However, the Rangers ran into an opponent that outplayed them numerous times through this series, used their physicality To out hustle and outmaneuver the Rangers and received primary and secondary scoring from all four lines including their defence corps.

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky handled whatever the Rangers threw at him and did not have any poor outings throughout the series. The Rangers were leaning on their secondary scoring only which was led by Alexis Lafrenière. Stars such as Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck add defensemen Adam fox were all absent during this series which led to their demise.

Head coach Peter Laviolette refused to make some adjustments to his lineup including moving players up to his top power play unit as their power play went completely silent through most of the series.

Many felt the Panthers would be their strongest opponent on their path to the Stanley Cup final, however, it appeared the Rangers we're ready to take the next step but came up short yet again.