Stanley Cup Playoffs Day 33: Panthers stifle Rangers in Game 1 for 3-0 win

While the Panthers weren’t able to get another goal in the second period, they definitely made sure that the Rangers didn’t get the equalizer. After the Rangers got three shots to start the period, the Panthers didn’t allow a single one for 14:23. New York caught up a bit at the end to finish the period with seven, but it was a lot of one-and-done opportunities, and they couldn’t get anything.

The Panthers thought they had finally got a bit more insurance in the third period from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but Ryan Lomberg appeared to interfere with Shesterkin up front. After the Rangers challenged the play, it proved to be correct, and the goal was called back.

It looked like the no-goal gave the Rangers some life, as they finally had some sequences where they strung some chances together, nearly tying the game, but they just couldn’t beat Sergei Bobrovsky. Then with Florida taking a too many men penalty shortly after and giving New York’s red-hot power play a chance with all this momentum, everything looked to be lining up for the Rangers.

But, the Panthers penalty kill was strong, and then it all went wrong for the Rangers. Carter Verhaeghe attempted to make a pass into the slot to Tkachuk, but it deflected off the stick of Alexis Lafreniere and in the net to make it 2-0 Florida.

That goal seemed to suck the life out of the game for the Rangers. They pulled the goalie to try and come back, but they never really got close, and Sam Bennett sealed the deal with an empty net goal. The Panthers leave Game 1 with a 3-0 win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Verhaeghe and Tkachuk led the way for the Panthers with a goal and an assist each, while Bobrovsky stopped all 23 shots that he faced to get the shutout.