Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers Beat Rangers, Hyped By NHL Fans for Taking ECF Series Lead

Julia StumbaughMay 31, 2024

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers put together a dominant third period Thursday night at Madison Square Garden to place themselves within one win of the Stanley Cup Final.

Sam Bennett scored the difference-maker into the New York Rangers’ empty net to seal both a 3-2 Panthers victory and a 3-2 Eastern Conference Finals lead.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceBENNETT GETS THE ENG WITH LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LEFT pic.twitter.com/jzDZ5yqvGw

The Rangers were first on the board Thursday night as Chris Kreider opened scoring with a shorthanded goal in the second period.

The Panthers responded with three straight tallies, starting out with a highlight-reel setup from Bennett on the tying goal:

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceFORSLING TIES IT UP 🚨 pic.twitter.com/4KOQU3ETFO

HockeyStatCards @hockeystatcards#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Florida Panthers on 2024-05-30:#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/bu4v5lkpvZ

Derek @NewYorkPuckSay what you want. Sam Bennett was the best player in this game.

Grady Sas @GradySas27-year-old Sam Bennett is a heck of a player. #TimeToHunt

The third line struck next as Anton Lundell scored past a screen from Vladimir Tarasenko, a go-ahead goal that showcased the Panthers’ depth:

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceTHE PANTHERS TAKE THE LEAD 👀 pic.twitter.com/wHzNo8GBIP

Reilly Moore @reillymooreTarasenko has not had a great series but his screen made the Lundell goal happen. More bounce in his game in the last two games. Big factor for the Cats having 3 effective lines.

Peter Ginter @GintyFresh36First line wasn’t on top of it. It was the Lundell line with Bennett and Bob had his best game of the series considering the stakes. (yes I know he had a game 1 shutout) Team win.

The Panthers outshot the Rangers 16-10 as the home team struggled to control play in the third period.

Jameson Olive @JamesonCoopPanthers with another strong third period, which has become a trend in this series.

At 5-on-5, they led 14-7 in shots, 12-5 in scoring chances and 8-2 in high-danger shot attempts, per @NatStatTrick.

Tom Reed @treed1919Just a textbook third period from Panthers. Completely controlled play. #NYR didn’t get anywhere near the net until Lafreniere scores in dying seconds. Hard to see this series getting past Saturday night. Panthers built for grind-it-out games. The Rangers are not.

A late goal by Mika Zibanejad wasn’t enough to erase the deficit, and Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky finished the outing having allowed two or fewer goals for the fourth time in the five-game series.

Disappointed Cats Fan @sportspessimismBobrovsky your star tonight. He was great.

San Diego Super Padres @PadresTillDeathIt’s like you have to play a perfect game to beat the @FlaPanthers
Bobrovsky is basically a brick wall in goal.

The Panthers are now one victory away from the Stanley Cup Final, and their dominant third period left some fans convinced they would get that final win.

Bob Beers Fanclub @bobbiebrewskiRangers look like defeated. Panthers are a lot closer than one win away from the Final.

Greg Boysen @GregBoysenThe Panthers have been the better team in all five games. They have dominated 5v5, have had better depth, and have made most of the Rangers’ top stars ineffective. If it wasn’t for Shesterkin, this series would already be over.

This would mark the second consecutive season Florida has capped with a trip to the Final. In 2024, the team lost their title bid in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights.

David Alter @dalterIf the Panthers get another win here, they’ll be the first Stanley Cup runner-up to get back to the Final the next year since the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chris Shepherd @ChrisShepherdPanthers closed out the 2023 Eastern Conference Final at home.

Panthers can close out the 2024 Eastern Conference Final at home Saturday. #TimeToHunt #NYR

The Rangers will meanwhile need a road victory in order to keep their playoff hopes alive when the puck drops for Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Florida.