Watch: Panthers' Reinhart nets two goals in first period

Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) celebrates after scoring against the New York Rangers during the first period in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Panthers' Sam Reinhart nets two goals in first period vs. Rangers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 5/26/24

Center Sam Reinhart is putting the Florida Panthers on his back in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers.

In the first period against the Rangers, Reinhart scored a backhand goal on a power play at the 2:50 mark, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Then, after the Rangers scored two goals, Reinhart tied the game at the 14:46 mark on another power play.

REINO

The Cats are on the board early in Game 3! #StanleyCup

: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/MxEwYjfWfT
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024

That's TWO for Sam Reinhart! ✌️ #StanleyCup

: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/t3RN9zQML5
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024

Reinhart — the second overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft — is having one of the best seasons of his career. In 82 regular-season games, he scored a career-high 57 goals, second in the league behind Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (69).

Reinhart, 28, is in the final year of a three-year, $19.5M deal. If he doesn't re-sign with Florida, he may attract suitors in free agency.

In the meantime, Reinhart will try to help the Panthers — tied with the Rangers 1-1 in the series — win their first Stanley Cup. Last season, Florida made the Stanley Cup Final but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights. As of Sunday, DraftKings gives the Panthers the lowest Stanley Cup odds (+330) among the teams still in the playoffs.

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