Check out a same-game parlay (SGP) for Panthers vs. Rangers as Nicholas Martin makes his NHL predictions for Game 2.
Game 2 of what should be a can't-miss Eastern Conference Final will get underway on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City with Panthers vs. Rangers (8 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN+).
The odds for Game 2 are almost identical to Game 1's odds across the board with Florida priced as a slight -115 favorite while the over/under is set at 5.5.
Find out how I am tackling Game 2 with a +387 SGP at FanDuel as I make a Panthers vs. Rangers SGP pick and prediction for Friday.
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NHL Predictions: SGP for Panthers vs. Rangers Game 2
My Panthers vs. Rangers same-game parlay for Game 2 is a three-legger and will focus on the Panthers, a player prop, and an alternate total.
The SGP's trio of bets includes:
- Florida Panthers Moneyline (-115)
- Matthew Tkachuk Anytime Goalscorer (+200)
- Game Total Under 8.5 (-1100)
Panthers Moneyline
As I highlighted in my Game 1 preview for this Eastern Conference Final, Florida is simply the stronger all-around hockey team. This postseason, the Panthers outrank New York in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and expected goal differential per 60 minutes.
The Rangers have gotten through thus far for two reasons. First, they are power-play merchants. That is not a sustainable model for winning playoff hockey as we get deeper into the postseason, which we saw in Game 1 as they only received two power-play chances all game and thus were held scoreless altogether.
The second reason this team is still alive is goaltender Igor Shesterkin. He is undoubtedly one of the best goaltenders in the world, but Sergei Bobrovsky can certainly go blow-for-blow with him.
Bobrovsky has now allowed two or fewer goals in each of his past six games, going 5-1 over that stretch with a commanding .936 SV% and 1.34 GAA. He shut out New York in Game 1, and I expect yet another brilliant performance in Game 2.
Tkachuk Anytime Goalscorer
If we are backing the Panthers to win, then we obviously need some of their skaters to find the back of the net. Enter forward Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk kicked off the scoring in Game 1 when he snuck a shot past Shesterkin in the opening frame, and I want to continue to back a guy who always seems to elevate his game in the postseason. He has now recorded a goal in 11 of his past 20 playoff games, which bodes well for betting on him to do so once again at a sizable +200 payout.
Furthermore, Tkachuk has traditionally fared well against New York, scoring seven goals through 15 career meetings. Finally, he co-leads the team in even-strength goals this postseason.
I mention this stat because the Rangers rank 11th out of the 16 playoff teams this postseason in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
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Under 8.5
I will totally understand if you want to leave this leg out of your SGP. Under 8.5 goals is priced at -1100 and moves this SGP from +309 to +387, which may not be worth it to some.
However, I think it is about as safe of a way to slightly increase your payout as you can in this game. Those are usually famous last words in the betting world, but I just don't see a game where we see nine goals with two of the best goaltenders on the planet squaring off, especially in a Conference Final game in which fewer penalties are called and both teams are playing tighter.
There have now been eight or fewer total goals scored in each of the past 11 meetings between these two teams.
The Pick: Panthers vs. Rangers Game 2 SGP: +387 at bet365
