In New York, the Rangers found themselves up against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night. 
Perhaps a bit of nerves entered the contest. With less than six minutes left in the third period, a pass by the Panthers’ Carter Verhaeghe was tipped by the Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere into the net to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
That marker was dagger.
Sam Bennett hit an empty net at 18:41 to make it 3-0 to the Panthers.
With the win, the Panther take a 1-0 series lead, and steal home ice form the Rangers.
Game 2 is set for New York on Friday night.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves in the win.
Matthew Tkachuk scored at 16:28 of the opening stanza to stake the Panthers to a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers were scoreless in two power play chances, the Panthers went 0-for-3 with the extra skater.
A more poised effort in Game 2 will be needed to get the series even headed to Sunrise. 
Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves in the loss.
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