Rangers vs. Panthers Game 2 prediction: NHL Eastern Conference Final odds, picks, best bets

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final was a disaster for the Rangers in a 3-0 defeat to the Panthers, including an embarrassing own goal that put the game out of reach.

Being shut out at home is far from the start the Rangers envisioned, and things will need to turn quickly if they are to even this series up.

The odds have remained relatively consistent from Game 1 to Game 2, as we look at the Panthers as slight -112 favorites to the Rangers’ -108 odds at DraftKings for this matchup at Madison Square Garden.

The over/under total comes in at 5.5 total goals.

The Panthers are back to their brooding defensive style that kept the Rangers on their heels with their hard-hitting endeavors.

Igor Shesterkin only let up one real goal in Game 1, and he probably would want that Matthew Tkachuk shot back.

Rangers vs. Panthers prediction for Game 2

(8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

It’s backs-against-the-wall time for the Rangers, who will need to pull together one of their best performances of the season to even this series up.

The Rangers generated plenty of scoring opportunities but hit multiple pipes and were on the wrong end of some impressive saves by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Blueshirts also did not convert either of their two powerplay opportunities, something they will need to right if they are to win Game 2.

This series is very even however, the Rangers are getting hit a lot, and as The Post’s Larry Brooks pointed out, it’s Matt Rempe time in Manhattan.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Rangers in the NHL playoffs

Moneypuck.com projected the Rangers to win that game 65.8 percent of the time, with a substantially more impressive expected goal percentage for Game 1.

Advanced stats say the Rangers actually won the game 2.68 vs. 2.14.

The game didn’t end up going that direction, but there’s reason to believe the Rangers are undervalued at this price.

DraftKings’ Director of Trading Johnny Avello told The Post before the series started that the Rangers would be favored in Game 2 if they lost Game 1 thanks to increased urgency grades.

Well, that is not yet the case, as you can grab the Rangers at a slight underdog price.

Betting on the NHL?

Game 1 wasn’t as big of a red flag as the 3-0 score would lead you to believe, so grab the Rangers.

PICK: Rangers moneyline (-105, BetMGM)