Well, we are back where we started -- except now it's a best-of-three series starting Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
The Florida Panthers got the winner in OT in a Game 4 that should not have been as close as it was. Once again, Igor Shesterkin was the primary reason the New York Rangers didn't lose by a touchdown. He was so good that he gave New York a chance even though they were thoroughly outplayed after the first period.
The oddsmakers are giving the edge to the Panthers again for Game 5, while also still suggesting a low-scoring affair. Fair enough. After four games, all but Game 3 have had minimal goals.
The President's Trophy winners aren't going quietly into the night, though. My preferred narrative for Game 5 is a resurgence on home ice for the Blueshirts. They have to focus on what they did in the first period Tuesday and extend that for the full 60 minutes -- taking some major heat off Shesterkin in the process.
Two things make me lean Rangers here: The power play showed some signs of life, albeit briefly, with its first goal of the series; and Adam Fox started to look like Adam Fox again.
Florida Panthers at New York Rangers
Eastern Conference finals -- Game 5 (series tied 2-2)
Madison Square Garden, New York; Friday, 8 p.m. ET, Watch live on ESPN
Game 5 Puck line: Panthers -1.5 (+210); Rangers +1.5 (-300)
Game 5 Over/Under: 5.5 (+110/-130)
Game 5 Money line: Panthers (-125); Rangers (+105)
Adam Fox over 0.5 total points (-115) parlayed with Adam Fox over 0.5 total power play points (+275). Fox hasn't quite looked like Fox for a while. There is some speculation that he has been hampered by an injury ever since the series with Washington. Whatever the case, he looked like Fox on Tuesday. And if you are in for a penny, why not spice up the take? If you agree Fox is going to get a point, tack on the idea of it coming on the advantage.
Igor Shesterkin under 28.5 total saves (-110) The relentless attack of the Panthers has manifested to ridiculous levels on home ice. Not so much when they are in New York. While the shot attempts advantage was a whopping combined 155-65 in favor of the Panthers in Sunrise, it was only 122-111 in Games 1 and 2. In theory, Shesterkin doesn't have to carry the team in this one.
(Odds Boost) Sam Reinhart or Artemi Panarin to score the first goal (+525). This one is just fun, as the first goal of the game is really just a lottery ticket. It could come from any player on either team. But giving you two options in an either/or makes it a little more hopeful. Furthermore, Reinhart scored the first goal in a game six times during the regular season and Panarin did it 10 times -- so this is the right duo for the job.