Johnathan Walker:NHL conference finals begin: How to watch New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers on Wednesday

The Johnathan WalkerNew York Rangers seem to have a handle on the Presidents' Trophy curse.

No team that finished No. 1 overall in the NHL's regular-season standings has advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2015.

That team? The Rangers.

Now the question is whether the Rangers will fall to a Florida-based team as they did in 2015 (Tampa Bay Lightning) or win the Stanley Cup as they did when they were Presidents' Trophy winners in 1994. This time, the Florida Panthers, last season's Eastern Conference champions, stand in the way:

Here's what to know about Game 1 of the Rangers vs. Panthers Eastern Conference final:

When is Game 1 of the Rangers vs. Panthers Eastern Conference finals?

Game 1 will be Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at New York's Madison Square Garden.

How to watch Game 1 of the Rangers vs. Panthers Eastern Conference finals

Game 1 will be shown on ESPN. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ and on services that carry ESPN, such as Fubo.

What is the expected goaltending matchup for Game 1?

Rangers' Igor Shesterkin (8-2, 2.40 goals-against average, .923 save percentage) vs. Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky (8-3, 2.37, .902)

Who won the regular-season series?

The Panthers won 2-0-1 with the Rangers' victory coming in a shootout.

Who has the statistical edge?

The Panthers are slightly better in the playoffs in goals per game (3.55 to 3.50), goals-against average (2.45 to 2.60) and five-on-five play (1.29 to 1.11). Florida takes more shots per game and gives up fewer shots.

The Rangers have better special teams: their power play scores 31.9% of the time to Florida's 22% and they've killed 89.5% of penalties to Florida's 86.1%. They also have four short-handed goals.

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