How to watch Rangers vs. Panthers Game 6: Will Florida return to Stanley Cup Final?
The Florida Panthers can reach the Stanley Cup Final for a second season in a row with a home victory in Game 6 on Saturday night.
The New York Rangers will try to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 on Monday night.
The Panthers have taken control of the Eastern Conference final with two consecutive victories. But the Rangers have had success on the road this postseason, going 5-2.
New York won Games 6 and 7 of the conference final 30 years ago on the way to their last Stanley Cup title, the year Mark Messier guaranteed a Game 6 win against the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers also forced a Game 7 when trailing 3-2 in the conference final or semifinal in 2015, 1974, 1971 and 1939.
Here's everything to know about Game 6 between the Panthers and Rangers:
When is Game 6 of the Panthers vs. Rangers Eastern Conference finals?
Game 6 is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
How to watch Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals
Game 6 will be shown nationally on ABC. It can be streamed on ESPN+ and on services that carry ESPN, such as Fubo.
What is the expected goaltending matchup?
Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky (11-5, 2.27, .905) vs. Rangers' Igor Shesterkin (10-5, 2.36, .927)
What do the Panthers need to do to win?
Keep up the forechecking pressure: The Panthers' hard-charging style has made it harder for the Rangers to get clean breakouts from their zone.
Another big effort from Bobrovsky: He has given up two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 games.
Win the special teams battle again: The Rangers' strength on special teams helped them overcome their average five-on-five play in the first two rounds. But the Panthers have scored five power-play goals against the Rangers and are 17-for-18 on the penalty kill.
What do the Rangers need to do to win?
More production from their stars: They got some of that in Game 5 when Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad picked up their first points of the series. They really could use a goal from Artemi Panarin.
Be ready in the first period and especially the third: The Panthers likely will come quickly in the first period as they try to wrap up the series Saturday. The third has been more troublesome. Florida has outscored opponents 23-10 in the third period in the playoffs, including 6-2 against the Rangers.
Another big effort from Shesterkin: He's the reason the Rangers are still alive, making big saves when his team has a breakdown. Try to limit the pressure on him and get him more offensive support.
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