Rangers Take 2-1 Series Lead vs. Panthers as NHL Fans Praise Wennberg’s G3 OT Goal

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 26, 2024

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Alex Wennberg’s overtime goal propelled the New York Rangers to a 5-4 win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday, giving the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals.

Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindberg wristed a shot from the blue line, and Wennberg was right out front for a deflection to close a massive victory.

NHL @NHLALEX WENNBERG GAME WINNER!!!

NEW YORK HAS TAKEN A 2-1 SERIES LEAD #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/rJ6tCxjwjY

x – New York Rangers @NYRangersAlex Wennberg. Overtime. Boom. pic.twitter.com/XADf6IFbgp

It was a tremendous win for New York, which led 4-2 in the third period before the Panthers scored twice in under two minutes to tie the game with 13:02 left.

It was a devastating loss for Florida, which took 108 shot attempts to the Rangers’ 44. More specifically, Florida put 37 shots on net to New York’s 23.

A frenetic first period ended in a two-all tie. Sam Reinhart’s two power play goals buffered Rangers goals from Alexis Lafrenière and Barclay Goodrow.

NHL @NHLREINO 🦏

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

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NHL @NHLALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE, THAT WAS GROSS 🥵 #StanleyCup

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NHL @NHLBARCLAY GOODROW STRIKES AGAIN 💥 #StanleyCup

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NHL @NHLThat’s TWO for Sam Reinhart! ✌️ #StanleyCup

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Lafrenière and Barclay Goodrow then each scored again in the second period, with the latter player earning his tally on the penalty kill.

NHL @NHLHim #StanleyCup

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NHL @NHLBarclay Goodrow is on a heater of all heaters right now. 🔥 #StanleyCup

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Goodrow has now scored six times in his last six postseason games after netting four goals in 80 regular-season contests. He also notably scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 2-1 overtime win over the Panthers in Game 2.

Undeterred, the Panthers fought back with even-strength goals from Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling.

NHL @NHLThe @FlaPanthers get one back!! 🚨 #StanleyCup

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NHL @NHLFLORIDA TIES IT UP 🤯

GUSTAV FORSLING #StanleyCup

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Florida had many chances to take the lead down the stretch, including seven shot attempts on a power play following a Jacob Trouba holding call. However, Igor Shesterkin stood tall in net and kept the score at four.

Fast-paced action marked the start of overtime, and a quick goal almost seemed inevitable. That score happened after Wennberg, a trade deadline acquisition from the Seattle Kraken, netted his first playoff goal with New York for the big win.

The 29-year-old center picked a great time for his first playoff goal, and it was also sweet revenge for him as well after he was crushed at mid-ice following a Dmitry Kulikov hit in Game 2 that was nearly called a major.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceAfter review, Kulikov received a two minute minor for interference on this hit pic.twitter.com/FCsUTe0Lfb

One game later, Wennberg is the Rangers’ hero. Fans were impressed and elated following the score.

Tom Urtz Jr. @TomUrtzJrAlex Wennberg what a time to snap a drought

Anthony Pucik @AnthonyPucikWhat a goal by Wennberg. Rangers hang on #NYR

Greg Kaplan @BlueshirtsBreakAlex Wennberg VINDICATION from Game 1

Mike @MIKE_BROWNS_UKRangers steal Game 3.
Wennberg deflects home a point shot from Gustafsson as the New York Rangers beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final https://t.co/MLp3uWSK8H

Deanna @deanna_gill15Wennberg calls game

Linda Cohn @lindacohnTalk about an unlikely hero!! Alex Wennberg wins it in OT!!#NYR

Marc Weissman @mgweissmanO…..M……G!!!! WENNBERG!!! WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?!!!! 🥳🏒💙🏒🥳 pic.twitter.com/a7szZ7yCxh

ESPN New York @ESPNNewYorkCan’t spell Wennberg without W.

Andrew @based_shestyUNBELIEVABLE

UN-BELIEVABLE

THEY JUST FIND A WAY MAN, AND ITS THE NEW GUY ALEX WENNBERG

INCREDIBLE

LETS GO RANGERS

The Garden Faithful @GardenFaithfulGoodrow. Wennberg. The heroes we all knew would step up, amirite?! This is wild stuff.

Blueshirt Bulletin @NYRBlueBulletinThe Roslovic-Wennberg-Kakko line was arguably the most consistent for #NYR and they get rewarded.

Snark Messier @NYRFanaticGoodrow and Wennberg.

Never in a million years would I have expected they’d be amongst our playoff heroes. #NYR

Tony Jones @TjonesonthenbaWennberg is literally the last playoff hero you could have guessed 🤣🤣🤣

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 @Garts2point2Rangers win another one in OT!! Was that Wennberg??? What a great time to get your first.

Michael @Nerdy_MikeAlex Wennberg I hope you get to hold that Stanley cup this season. What a beautiful game winner for the Rangers!

Derek Drago @Derek_DragoThat was the worst game the Rangers played all playoffs long but a win is a win. Wennberg!!!! Come on!!!!!!!!

Florida will now host New York for Game 4 on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.