Watch: Unlikely Rangers playoff hero scores twice in Game 3

New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Unlikely Rangers playoff hero nets two goals vs. Panthers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 5/26/24

The Florida Panthers have no answer for New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow.

After Goodrow evened the series with a winning goal in overtime on Friday, the 31-year-old is stepping up again in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

BARCLAY GOODROW STRIKES AGAIN #StanleyCup

: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/ZuFqqZo1Fq
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024

Barclay Goodrow is on a heater of all heaters right now. #StanleyCup

: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/3AUDZQvQJU
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024

Goodrow gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead at the 7:42 mark in the first period after nailing a slapshot. At the 18:14 mark of the second period, he drilled a quick short-handed goal following assists from Vincent Trocheck and Ryan Lindgren, granting New York a 4-2 lead before halftime.

According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, Goodrow now has more goals in the playoffs (six) than he did in 80 regular-season games (four). It's safe to say the Rangers probably didn't expect him to emerge as a difference-maker in the postseason.

Regardless, if Goodrow stays hot, he could help the Rangers upset the Panthers and win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994. As of Sunday, FanDuel lists Florida (-154) as a slight favorite in the series.

More must-reads: