Skip to main content

Rangers vs. Panthers Predictions & Odds: Sunday's NHL Eastern Conference Final Game 3 Expert Picks

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 12:28 PM EDT • 3 min 41 sec read.

Erik Gustafsson of the New York Rangers checks Anton Lundell of the Florida Panthers as Gary Pearson offers his prop picks and predictions for Sunday's Game 3 between the Rangers and Panthers in Florida.
Erik Gustafsson of the New York Rangers checks Anton Lundell of the Florida Panthers in Game Two on May 24, 2024. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images via AFP.

The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers are squared up 1-1 in the battle of who will represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, and we have you covered with our Rangers vs. Panthers Game 3 picks and predictions for Sunday based on the best NHL odds.

The New York Rangers responded in Game 2 with a much more spirited and combative outing, winning 2-1 in overtime. With their Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers shifting to Sunrise, Fla., things are squared up at one game apiece.

Game 3's puck drop at Amerant Bank Arena is set for 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.

Florida is 4-2 at home in the playoffs and is favored to win Game 3. According to the Stanley Cup odds, the Panthers are also favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. However, the Rangers have also proven to be tough on the road during the postseason, winning four out of six away games. Some of that has come from Igor Shesterkin, who has backstopped his way to being a contender by the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy odds.

Here are our best Panthers vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Rangers vs. Panthers Game 3 expert picks

Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook

Rangers vs. Panthers predictions for Sunday

Under 5.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goals in the Eastern Conference Final thus far are harder to come by than a holidaymaker suntanning on a Florida beach during the summer wearing jeans and a hoodie. Three goals were scored in each contest in the Big Apple, which, if combined, would just hit the one-game Over. That includes the Sam Bennett insurance goal into an empty net in Game 1. I will lock in the Under until either team proves they can score more readily.

Embed content Ge-sWAIboA4 image

With every playoff outing, Igor Shesterkin's run of not allowing more than three goals becomes more fantasy-like. He has allowed more than three goals once in his last 35 playoff starts, with the rarest phenomenon occurring in Game 4 against the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Panthers haven't allowed more than two goals since Game 1 against the Boston Bruins, a seven-game span. The -128 odds imply a 56.14%, and a winning $10 bet pays a profit of $7.81. 

Best odds: -128 via FanDuel

Bet $5, Win $200 in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets if the bet wins (within 72 hours).

Claim $200
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or casino betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Adam Fox Under 0.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

With goals at such a premium, I'm turning my attention to finding some Unders that offer value. Adam Fox had an assist on Vincent Trocheck's opener in Game 2. However, he hasn't been particularly cunning recently, at least offensively. He has one point in the last six games after a run of four straight with an assist and has five points in 12 postseason games.

He's usually dangerous on the power play, but I expect few penalties from the Panthers in Game 3 at home, which should cut down the number of opportunities for Fox to get on the scoresheet. At -120, DraftKings offers the best value of our best sports betting apps. A $10 wager pays a profit of $8.33 if it hits and has an implied probability of 54.55%. 

Best odds: -120 via DraftKings

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Terms and conditions apply.

Claim $150
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or casino betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Matthew Tkachuk Over 3.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐

I've been going back and forth between backing Matthew Tkachuk to wire at least four shots or notch a minimum of one apple as much as the Toronto Blue Jays alternate wins and losses. Tkachuk hasn't hit the Over on this shots prop in four games, getting just one in Games 1 and 2. However, the Panthers have the second-most shots per game on home ice, firing just under four more per game than on the road. 

Tkachuk has at least four shots in seven of 13 playoff games, four at Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers had 27 shots in Games 1 and 2, over five fewer than their postseason average. I expect Florida to come out firing in Game 3, taking advantage of a team that was outshot in every road game in Carolina last round. Tkachuk should release on sight to make life more difficult for Shesterkin. The assist prop is also tasty, trading at +110 at DraftKings. At +130, DraftKings offers the best value, implying a probability of 43.48%—a $10 wager profits $13 if it hits. 

Best odds: +130 via DraftKings

Rangers vs. Panthers Game 3 info & odds

  • When: Sunday, May 26
  • Puck drop: 3 p.m. ET
  • Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla.
  • How to watch: ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet
  • Favorite: Panthers (-153 via BetMGM)

Rangers-Panthers predictions made Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related pages

Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson is a sports writer specializing in hockey, soccer, NFL, and tennis coverage. He has 10 years of industry experience and has contributed to various publications, including BetMGM, Covers.com, the Hockey Writers, Yardbarker, NJ.com, the Miami Herald, the Canadian Press, and the Calgary Herald.