Normally I don't like to go against the Rangers on the road especially when laying a price. But I'll do it here based on the spot. Florida needs this home win bad. The Panthers are two points out of the second wild-card spot in the East. They are off an upset loss to the Stars this past Saturday in the opener of their current three-game homestand. They host the Wild on Friday so they very well could go 0-3 during this homestand if they don't win this game.

Yes, the Rangers are strong on the road. But this marks New York's third game in four days and second in two nights. The Rangers have failed to cover the past four times when playing for the third time in four days. New York played well in nipping Tampa Bay, 1-0 in overtime, on the road last night. That game took a toll both physically and mentally. Backup goalie Antti Raanta was brilliant in net. I like him better than New York's starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who is likely to be back in goal today.

The Rangers have lost four of the past five times following a victory. The Rangers have been without leading goal scorer Michael Grabner and their offense has suffered. Only once in their last 10 games have the Rangers scored more than two goals.