Panthers Even Series with Game 4 Victory
The New York Rangers tied the Eastern Conference Finals series with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 3 on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
Chris Kreider scored the game-winning goal 3:35 into overtime, giving the Rangers their first win of the series. Kreider took a pass from Artemi Panarin at the blue line and skated into the Panthers zone before unleashing a wrist shot that beat Sergei Bobrovsky high to the glove side.
The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Andrew Copp, but the Panthers answered back with a power-play goal by Aleksander Barkov in the second period. The Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the third period on a goal by Jonathan Huberdeau, but the Rangers tied the game with a goal by Mika Zibanejad with just 1:52 remaining in regulation.
Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves for the Rangers, while Bobrovsky made 34 saves for the Panthers.
The series is now tied 1-1. Game 4 will be played in New York on Tuesday night.
Kreider’s Goal Gives Rangers Life
Kreider’s goal was a huge momentum swing for the Rangers. The Panthers had been controlling the play for much of the overtime period, but Kreider’s goal gave the Rangers a much-needed boost.
It was a big goal for us, Kreider said. We needed to get one early in overtime, and we were able to do that. It gave us a lot of confidence.
Rangers Show Resilience in Overtime
The Rangers showed a lot of resilience in overtime. They were able to kill off a Panthers power play early in the overtime period, and they were able to generate some good scoring chances of their own.
We showed a lot of character in overtime, Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. We were able to kill off that power play, and we were able to get some good looks. We were able to find a way to win the game.
Series Now Tied 1-1
The series is now tied 1-1. The Rangers will have a chance to take a 2-1 lead in the series when they host the Panthers in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
It’s a huge win for us, Zibanejad said. We’re going to take this win and build off of it. We’re going to be ready for Game 4.
Kind regards, R. Bauer.
