The NHL Eastern Conference Finals odds suggest a very tight battle. The Rangers and the Panthers both have a good shoot at progressing, according to the NHL betting sites.
In this article, I explore the latest prices to advance to the Stanley Cup Final and reveal my top picks!
Below, find the latest odds, a complete analysis, and my 2024 NHL Eastern Conference Finals predictions. If you want even more NHL conference finals picks, check out The Sports Geek’s Western Conference Finals betting preview!
NHL Eastern Conference Finals 2024 Odds
There are a variety of ways to cash in on the Panthers vs. Rangers odds in the Eastern Conference Finals. In addition to wagering on each individual matchup, you can take our NHL betting guide to the next level with dozens of series bets.
Let’s check out some of the best NHL Eastern Conference Finals betting odds available for wagering:
Odds To Win The NHL East In 2024
The following Rangers vs. Panthers odds are courtesy of Bovada:
- Florida Panthers (-150)
- New York Rangers (+130)
The Florida Panthers (-150) are the odds-on favorites to advance to the Stanley Cup Final from the Eastern Conference. As a -150 favorite, the Panthers have a 60% implied probability of beating the New York Rangers in this best-of-seven series.
Although the Rangers have only lost two playoff games, sports betting sites favor the Panthers’ recent postseason experience and depth. While there are no promises, I assure you this will be a physical series.
More NHL East Finals Odds
| WAGERING OPTION | ODDS |
| Series Spread | Rangers +1.5 (-145)Panthers -1.5 (+120) |
| Series Over/Under | Over 5.5 (-185)Under 5.5 (+155) |
| When Will The Series End? | Game 6 (+190)Game 7 (+190)Game 5 (+260)Game 4 (+575) |
The NHL East Finals 2024 odds suggest this series should last a minimum of six games. The Over 5.5 is juiced heavily in favor at -185 odds. Put differently, there is a 64.9% chance of the Eastern Conference Finals advancing to Game 6.
The series ending at Game 6 and Game 7 are equal at +190. Per the Rangers series spread odds at +1.5 (-145), the better value would therefore be on a Game 7. Putting this all together, the most likely scenario, according to Bovada, is the Panthers winning in seven games.
Now, let’s dig deep into my Rangers vs. Panthers prediction and best bets to see if we can take advantage of that!
New York Rangers – Is The Cup Heading Back to NYC 30 Years Later?
In 1994, Mark Messier and the Rangers won their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. 30 years later and the Big Apple hasn’t seen a Stanley Cup since. Is this the season that the Rangers end the drought?
Playoffs Recap
The New York Rangers needed the fewest games to reach the conference finals out of the remaining teams. After sweeping the Washington Capitals in four games, the Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in six.
They won their first seven playoff games and were on the verge of sweeping a Hurricanes team that was one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup entering the playoffs.
Carolina fought back to win two games, but the Rangers finished the series in six. Overall, the Rangers are 8-2, with one less loss than the Panthers heading into the Eastern Conference Finals.
They’ve been able to do it with a balanced approach on both ends of the ice. The Rangers have averaged 3.5 goals while allowing 2.6 goals per game. Igor Shesterkin carries a 2.40 GAA and 0.923 save percentage into the playoffs, ranking No. 1 among goaltenders in the conference finals.
Regular Season In Review
The same well-rounded, balanced philosophy led the Rangers to the best record in the NHL and the Presidents’ Trophy. They finished seventh in goals scored and goals against in the regular season.
The Rangers wrapped up their regular season with a record of 55-23-4. In addition to capturing the Presidents’ Trophy, they were three points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes for the Metropolitan Division title.
They closed out the regular season in strong form, winning seven of their last ten games. It seemingly crossed over into the playoffs, as the Rangers won seven consecutive postseason assignments.
Impact Players
Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck are knotted for the fifth most points in the NHL Playoffs. Additionally, Chris Kreider is tied for fourth, with seven goals in the first two rounds, including a hat trick in Game 6 against the Hurricanes.
Artemi Panarin led the Rangers in points during the regular season by a wide margin. The left-winger maintained an incredible pace, with 49 goals and 71 assists. Currently, Panarin is third on the Rangers in points in the playoffs.
The X-factor for the Rangers has to be defenseman Adam Fox. He’s playing banged up and hasn’t been at his best since suffering an injury in the first-round series. If Fox can revert to form, the Rangers will likely have the advantage.
Although the Rangers’ NHL Eastern Conference Final 2024 betting odds give them just a 43.5% probability to win, New York’s postseason success suggests they have a better chance!
The Rangers are just eight wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994.
Florida Panthers – Back-to-Back Eastern Conference Champs?
The Florida Panthers return to the Eastern Conference Finals after sweeping the Hurricanes in four games. However, unlike last year, the Panthers are expected to win now.
Is there any value in the Panthers’ NHL Eastern Conference Finals 2024 odds, though?
Playoffs Recap
After a surprising run to the championship series last year, the Panthers are favorites in 2024.
Last round, they handled the Bruins in six games to make their second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference Final. They ended the series with a 2-1 win at TD Garden in Game 6!
The Tampa Bay Lightning were no match for the Panthers as well. Florida ended the series emphatically with a 6-1 victory in Game 5 in the opening round!
Similar to the Rangers, the Panthers have employed a well-rounded attack that can win with their defense or playmakers. Florida is third in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, averaging 3.55 goals per game.
Also, the defense has held up well, with 2.45 goals against for fifth in the postseason. Sergei Bobrovsky has been locked in between the pipes, notching a 2.47 GAA and 0.902 save percentage through 11 starts.
Regular Season In Review
The Panthers posted a record of 52-24-6 and 110 points in the regular season. They finished four points behind the Rangers but did enough to edge out the Boston Bruins by a point for the Atlantic Division crown.
Florida entered the playoffs with plenty of momentum on a four-game winning streak. Although the Rangers finished with more points, the Panthers were first in the regular season in goal differential at +68.
Impact Players
The Panthers are aggressive and are coming to hit against the Rangers. However, it has worked against them at times, as they’re consistently landing in the penalty box.
With 171 penalty minutes, only the Bruins have had more in the playoffs. The Oilers are the third-most penalized team, which represents a 38-point difference!
In an even series, it’s imperative they don’t give the third-best playoff power play extra chances. It didn’t make a difference against the Rangers and Bruins, but it could versus an opportunistic Rangers team.
The Panthers are more than just about hitting, however. Aleksander Barkov recently won his second Selke Trophy for the top defensive forward in the NHL. The captain is joined by a talented and deep core, including Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Matthew Tkachuk, and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Reinhart led the Panthers in the regular season with 57 goals and 37 assists for 94 points. Tkachuk has notched 14 points to lead all Panthers in the playoffs.
2024 NHL Eastern Conference Finals Predictions and Best Bets
As I noted, this will be a rough and physical series between the Rangers and Panthers. It isn’t a matchup for the faint of heart. It’s a terrific battle that can’t get much better for fans who want to see bruises and blood.
The NHL East Finals 2024 odds indicate that the Panthers have a 60% chance, but this is an evenly-matched series. Therefore, given the price, the value is on the Rangers to win for your NHL Eastern Conference Finals 2024 picks.
+130 on a team with the highest winning percentage in the 2024 NHL Playoffs? That is too good to ignore as an underdog. If you want to be conservative, the Rangers at +1.5 (-145) to win or lose in seven games is worth considering.
The difference in this series could be the Panthers taking dumb penalties and the Rangers being well-disciplined. The Panthers likely can’t help themselves, so I lean towards the Rangers to win the Eastern Conference Finals at +130 odds!
Also, I expect this to be a long, physical series. As a bonus Rangers vs. Panthers betting pick, consider the Eastern Conference Finals ending in Game 7.
Where To Bet On The 2024 NHL Eastern Conference Final?
There are a wide range of NHL Eastern Conference Finals odds available at Bovada. our top pick for bettors who want everything on one betting site.
With series prices, live betting, prop bets, and much more, we recommend checking out Bovada for a highly rated NHL Playoffs betting experience.
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