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

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 26, 2024

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 26: Alex Wennberg #91 of the New York Rangers scores the game winning goal against Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during overtime in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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 @NHL
ALEX WENNBERG GAME WINNER!!! NEW YORK HAS TAKEN A 2-1 SERIES LEAD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/rJ6tCxjwjY">pic.twitter.com/rJ6tCxjwjY</a>

x - New York Rangers @NYRangers
Alex Wennberg. Overtime. Boom. <a href="https://t.co/XADf6IFbgp">pic.twitter.com/XADf6IFbgp</a>

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 @NHL
REINO 🦏 The Cats are on the board early in Game 3! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/MxEwYjfWfT">pic.twitter.com/MxEwYjfWfT</a>

NHL @NHL
ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE, THAT WAS GROSS 🥵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/0CHG1tVOex">pic.twitter.com/0CHG1tVOex</a>

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NHL @NHL
BARCLAY GOODROW STRIKES AGAIN 💥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZuFqqZo1Fq">pic.twitter.com/ZuFqqZo1Fq</a>

NHL @NHL
That's TWO for Sam Reinhart! ✌️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/t3RN9zQML5">pic.twitter.com/t3RN9zQML5</a>

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

NHL @NHL
Him <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OHmTu">https://t.co/Pp9X7OHmTu</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhJpz">https://t.co/sEijvXhJpz</a> <a href="https://t.co/SAjSXz4Tzr">https://t.co/SAjSXz4Tzr</a> <a href="https://t.co/57LytL5T7S">pic.twitter.com/57LytL5T7S</a>

NHL @NHL
Barclay Goodrow is on a heater of all heaters right now. 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/3AUDZQvQJU">pic.twitter.com/3AUDZQvQJU</a>

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 @NHL
The <a href="https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlaPanthers</a> get one back!! 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/ExH1gJmaL5">pic.twitter.com/ExH1gJmaL5</a>

NHL @NHL
FLORIDA TIES IT UP 🤯 GUSTAV FORSLING <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: ABC & <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W">https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1">https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href="https://t.co/xzCUh88vSe">pic.twitter.com/xzCUh88vSe</a>

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_OpenIce
After review, Kulikov received a two minute minor for interference on this hit <a href="https://t.co/FCsUTe0Lfb">pic.twitter.com/FCsUTe0Lfb</a>

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

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

Anthony Pucik @AnthonyPucik
What a goal by Wennberg. Rangers hang on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a>

Greg Kaplan @BlueshirtsBreak
Alex Wennberg VINDICATION from Game 1

Mike @MIKE_BROWNS_UK
Rangers 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 <a href="https://t.co/MLp3uWSK8H">https://t.co/MLp3uWSK8H</a>

Deanna @deanna_gill15
Wennberg calls game

Linda Cohn @lindacohn
Talk about an unlikely hero!! Alex Wennberg wins it in OT!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a>

Marc Weissman @mgweissman
O.....M......G!!!! WENNBERG!!! WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?!!!! 🥳🏒💙🏒🥳 <a href="https://t.co/a7szZ7yCxh">pic.twitter.com/a7szZ7yCxh</a>

ESPN New York @ESPNNewYork
Can't spell Wennberg without W.

Andrew @based_shesty
UNBELIEVABLE UN-BELIEVABLE THEY JUST FIND A WAY MAN, AND ITS THE NEW GUY ALEX WENNBERG INCREDIBLE LETS GO RANGERS

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

Blueshirt Bulletin @NYRBlueBulletin
The Roslovic-Wennberg-Kakko line was arguably the most consistent for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a> and they get rewarded.

Snark Messier @NYRFanatic
Goodrow and Wennberg. Never in a million years would I have expected they'd be amongst our playoff heroes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a>