The New York Rangers are facing an uphill battle as they prepare for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers. After a disastrous 3-0 defeat in the series opener, the Rangers are determined to turn things around and even the series.

In Game 1, the Rangers suffered a humiliating own goal that put the game out of reach, leaving them with a shutout at home. This was not the start the team had envisioned, and they know that they need to quickly find their rhythm if they want to have a chance at a comeback.

Heading into Game 2, the odds remain relatively consistent for both teams. The Panthers are seen as slight favorites with -112 odds, while the Rangers are close behind with -108 odds according to DraftKings. The over/under total for the game is set at 5.5 goals.

The Panthers displayed their strong defensive style in Game 1, keeping the Rangers on the defensive with their hard-hitting tactics. However, Rangers' goaltender Igor Shesterkin only allowed one legitimate goal in the game, and he will surely be looking to bounce back stronger in Game 2.

Although the Rangers generated plenty of scoring opportunities in the previous game, they were unlucky, hitting multiple posts and facing impressive saves from Panthers' goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Additionally, the team failed to convert on their powerplay opportunities, something they will need to rectify in Game 2 if they want to secure a victory.

Despite the disappointing outcome of Game 1, advanced stats reveal that the Rangers actually had a higher expected goal percentage. Moneypuck.com projected the Rangers to win that game 65.8% of the time, reflecting the belief that the team is undervalued at their current odds.

While the Rangers weren't initially favored in Game 2, DraftKings' Director of Trading Johnny Avello mentioned prior to the series that the Rangers would likely become favored in the second game if they lost the first, due to increased urgency. However, this is not yet the case, and bettors can still grab the Rangers at a slight underdog price.

As Game 2 approaches, the Rangers are determined to prove that Game 1 was not a true reflection of their abilities. They will need to deliver one of their best performances of the season to even the series.

The puck drops for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, and the Rangers are ready to fight back to lessen the gap against the Panthers. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see if the Rangers can bounce back and make this series a tightly contested affair.