Comeback Complete! New York Rangers win Game 7 in OT
The New York Rangers in their trademark resilient fashion won Game 7 in overtime and thus completed the 3-1 series deficit comeback.
When Artemi Panarin’s shot found it’s way through a sea of bodies to beat Tristan Jarry on the power play, New York tied the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens for most comebacks by a team down 3-0 or 3-1 with three.
This was also the third time in just 8 seasons (2014, 2015, 2022) with Chris Kreider a member for all of them.
“We’ve done that a few times this year trailing in the third period and winning it,” Gerard Gallant said. “We just keep working and battling.”
The Rangers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2. That series is expected to start on Wednesday in Raleigh.
Recap: Rangers 4 vs Penguins 3 (OT)
Chris Kreider got the Rangers on the board first just 7:36 into the first period by converting a 2 on 1 feed from Mika Zibanejad. Just prior to the goal, Igor Shesterkin made a series of saves before Braden Schneider caused a turnover to send the play the other way.
Pittsburgh tied the game with 69 seconds left on a power play goal when Danton Heinen was able to flip the puck just over the goal-line before Adam Fox could sweep it out.
In the second period, the Penguins were able to grab a 2-1 lead thanks to a controversial Jake Guentzel goal that probably should’ve been ruled a high stick.
The Blueshirts evened things up with 8:37 remaining in the second period after K’Andre Miller’s shot banked off two Penguin’s and into the net.
Unfortunately, the Rangers fell behind again with the speedy Evan Rodrigues making an incredible individual effort to chip the puck over Shesterkin on a breakaway.
NY Rangers Comeback Complete!
The third period was not going well for the New York Rangers, who also had to kill a reckless high sticking penalty on Artemi Panarin.
They were able to do so and kept to their system despite the clock winding down on their season. It finally paid off when Andrew Copp centered a puck from the corner that Zibanejad quickly snapped over Jarry’s glove to tie it at 3 with just 5:45 remaining.
“We didn’t want the season to end and this has been our team all year,” Zibanejad explained. “No matter how the game goes we stick together and good things will happen.”
The Rangers and Penguins went to OT with the home team keenly aware of their triple OT loss in Game 1.
K’Andre Miller intercepted a puck in the neutral and picked up a head full of steam. As he cut to the net Brock McGinn hooked him and set the stage for The Breadman.
With the clock ticking on the man advantage, Panarin received a cross-ice pass from defenseman Adam Fox and moved down the slot. His wrist shot must’ve had eyes as it eluded Jarry’s glove for the series winning goal. It was Panarin’s second career overtime playoff tally and probably his most memorable one to date.
“They’ve been letting me shoot from the first game and it’s my bad that I haven’t been making those shots,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “Maybe I’ll take everyone’s advice and shoot more.”
“Honestly, the ice wasn’t great tonight and it effects [Panarin’s] game more than other guys,” Gallant said. “He’s the guy that I said to myself going into overtime ‘I know it’s going to be him’.”
Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves in this contest, matching a great effort by Tristan Jarry who stopped 26 after no playing since April 14.
“It’s a huge win for the team and the organization,” Jacob Trouba said. “That whole No Quit New York is pretty true.”
Notable Rangers
- Igor Shesterkin stopped 42 of 45 shots for his first series win
- K’Andre Miller scored his first career playoff goal
- Chris Kreider tied Mark Messier for 2nd all-time in NYR playoff goals (29)
- Mika Zibanejad had 3G and 3A in games 6 and 7
NHL Rumors
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