The New York Rangers received a lift from an unlikely source for the second game in a row. In Game 2, it was Barclay Goodrow, but on Saturday, Alex Wennberg provided the heroics in a 5-4 Game 3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers.
Wennberg tallied the game-winner only 5:33 into the extra session, deflecting a shot past Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, astoundingly giving the Rangers a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final.
ALEX WENNBERG WINS IT FOR THE RANGERS!
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
The Rangers take the series lead with Wennberg's @SUBWAYCanada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/tiF6ptJwxD
A trade deadline acquisition from the Seattle Kraken, Wennberg's goal was only his second with the team over 22 games, including playoffs. However, it was by far his most important tally since joining the Blue Shirts.
Sunday's contest had back-and-forth action, with long periods of inactivity from the Rangers' offense mixed in. Nevertheless, goaltender Igor Shesterkin stood on his head, and Wennberg stepped up when it mattered.
The Panthers struck first, taking a 1-0 advantage only 2:50 into Game 1. After some excellent cycling from Florida, Sam Reinhart drove to the net before sneaking a backhander by Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin.
Sam Reinhart roofs the backhander to open the scoring! pic.twitter.com/LK3vrQRI1l
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
Only 4:27 later, the Rangers would score twice in 25 seconds. First, Alexis Lafreniere tied the game up on a breakaway. Then, Game 2 hero Goodrow deflected home the go-ahead goal, giving New York a 2-1 lead. But Reinhart's second tally of the game knotted things up at 2-2 after one.
Alexis Lafrenière answers with an upstairs backhander of his own! pic.twitter.com/a4Jz0jUK5g
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
The game would remain tied through most of the second period until Lafreniere picked up his second highlight-reel goal. At 15:23 into the period, Lafreniere dangled his way to the front of the Panthers' net before beating Bobrovsky with another devastating backhander.
Alexis Lafrenière scores a BEAUTY for his second of the game! pic.twitter.com/bKE0cvE4ZY
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
At 17:35, the Panthers were gifted a four-minute man advantage when Jacob Trouba was given two minutes each for hooking and elbowing. Officials reviewed the elbowing call but ultimately ruled it only a minor, even though the defenseman not only led with his elbow, but Evan Rodrigues' head was the point of contact.
Jacob Trouba gets two minutes for elbowing on Evan Rodrigues. pic.twitter.com/ZcEGyKfh55
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
Yet, it wasn't the Panthers who capitalized, but the Rangers. Thirty-nine seconds into Florida's powerplay, Goodrow one-timed a shot past Bobrovsky, tallying New York's playoff-leading fifth shorthanded goal.
Barclay Goodrow wires home the shorty for his second of the night! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/mHlrnFCU3M
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
Unsurprisingly, the Panthers would respond. Aleksander Barkov broke a four-game goal drought after batting one past Shesterkin at 5:04 into the final period to bring the Panthers to within a goal, 4-3. One minute and 54 seconds later, the game reset again when Gustav Forsling picked the corner, evening the game up at 4-4.
GUSTAV FORSLING TIES THE GAME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZtIm5t0Qoy
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024
The Panthers then began to wear down the Rangers, controlling much of the play over the latter half of the third. Florida outshot the Rangers 37-23 and 12-4 in the third period alone.
If not for Shesterkin, the Panthers would have clinched Game 3 in regulation, maybe by several goals. Instead, the two teams needed overtime to decide things for a second straight game.
The Panthers will host the Rangers for a pivotal Game 4 on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
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