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New York did not start the Eastern Conference Finals as they wanted to. With issues across the roster, the Florida Panthers were able to come into the Garden an

The New York Rangers were dominated by Florida in losing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final at Madison Square Garden. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said the effort was there but the team just didn't connect on passes, handle the Panthers' forecheck or establish one of their own. Laviolette went over that Thursday with the team instead of practicing. He can also consider a couple of lineup changes. Inserting big rookie Matt Rempe into the lineup to stir things up is an option. Another possibility is adding veteran Blake Wheeler, who has not played since a leg injury in February.

After two rounds of the NHL playoffs, there were hopes the New York Rangers had a chance to end their 30-year Stanley Cup drought. The defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers needed only one game into the third round to give New York a reality check.

After two rounds of the NHL playoffs, there were hopes the New York Rangers had a chance to end their 30-year Stanley Cup drought.

Shortly after the New York Rangers were stifled by the Florida Panthers' defense in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, coach Peter Laviolette gave a blunt assessment of his team's 3-0 loss. "I don't think that that was the best version of ourselv...