“I haven’t changed my pick” - P.K. Subban tips Rangers-Panthers conference finals to go the distance

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified May 29, 2024 21:25 GMT

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Former NHLer and analyst P.K. Subban predicts the Rangers and Panthers’ Easter conference finals series will go seven games.

Subban first made his prediction on the Pat McAfee show. He later reiterated his predictions:

"I got Rangers in seven and I’m not changing my pick."

Subban’s prediction comes after an exciting Game 4 that saw the Panthers even the series at two games apiece. Three of the four games have gone to overtime, underscoring how close the series has been.

While Subban is set on the Rangers taking the series, he acknowledged how well the Panthers have played:

"Florida deserved to win games 2, 3, and 4. Like, they deserved to win them, but that being said, something’s got to be said for teams that find ways to win. And the Rangers have found ways to win."

Subban remarked how the Rangers deserved credit for adjusting their playing style to counteract the Panthers’ gameplay. New York coach Peter Laviolette deserves credit for making changes based on how the Florida Panthers have implemented their game plan.

"I think the hockey is only going to get better in this series from here on in," Sabban concluded.

Game 5 is set for Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Both clubs will be looking to take a crucial 3-2 series lead as emotions run high.

Laviolette thinks Rangers need to be better

Following Game 4’s overtime loss, Peter Laviolette addressed the media.

"We’ve got to be better," Laviolette stated (per NHL.com). “We can’t afford lapses like that. I don’t have an explanation. It was the same thing, they come out, they’re chasing it, they pressed and I didn’t think the response was good to start the second period."

"We went in there, we had to kill some penalties from there. I definitely think we need to be better."

Laviolette went on to reflect on specific points in the series thus far:

"I thought we did a much better job at home controlling the play, but there was a spot in game 3 and a spot in game 4 here where we didn’t get that push that we need out of the period, and it keeps guys from playing in the zone that they want to get to. They’re not there."

New York must “be there” to take control of the series. The Blue Shirts will have a home-ice advantage for Game 5. But the way this series has gone, anything can happen.