The New York Rangers received a lift from an unlikely source for the second game in a row. In Game 2, it was Barclay Goodrow, but on Saturday, Alex Wennberg provided the heroics in a 5-4 Game 3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers. Wennberg tallied the game-winner only 5:33 into the extra session, deflecting a shot past Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, astoundingly giving the Rangers a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final.
ALEX WENNBERG WINS IT FOR THE RANGERS! The Rangers take the series lead with Wennberg's @SUBWAYCanada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/tiF6ptJwxD 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. Sam Reinhart roofs the backhander to open the scoring! pic.
twitter.com/LK3vrQRI1l 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 N.