Watch: Another improbable OT hero lifts Rangers to 2-1 ECF lead

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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.  

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. 

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.