Rangers 2, Cat 1 (OT)

After an unseasonably warm day in NYC, it turned into a very good night to watch a hockey game! After three tension filled periods and the majority of the OT, Barclay Goodrow (4) won the game at 14:01, blowing the roof off the Garden with a rising snap shot from the slot over Bobrovsky’s shoulder. The win sends the Rangers down to Florida tied up at 1-1 for a new best of five series. Trocheck (9) would get the primary assist, Trouba (4) the secondary.

Say Goodnight Gracie!

There were a number of lineup changes for the Rangers in this game. Though the ultimate outcome was a win, there will be continued debate about who plays and where. In this game, Kakko was sent to the press box, Roslovic moved into Kakko’s third line right wing spot, Chytil took Roslovic’s spot on the right of Zibanejad, Cuylle moved back to his home on the left side of the third line and larger than life Rempe played in as right wing on the fourth line. More changes are likely to come on Sunday as Vesey left the game in the second period with what appears to be a significant shoulder injury.

The other scoring of the game took place in the first period with the Rangers lighting the lamp at just 04:12 in. The play began with Gustaffson picking off a long Florida pass at the red line and moving it immediately up ice to Panarin who was waiting on the boards at the blue line. Panarin, who had little room or time all night, did a little spin move and sent the puck down low to Trocheck. Trocheck then was able to find a Fox in the slot after Lafreniere took out Verhaeghe in the middle. As Fox skated towards the net, Trocheck snuck up behind Bobrovsky and positioned himself to tap in the incoming Fox pass. Trocheck (7) from Fox (5) and Panarin (8). NYR 1-0.

A late first period dive by Barkov (given an 9.1 by the East German official) resulted in an interference call on future hero Goodrow at 17:10. A minute later, at 18:09, Verhaeghe would get his revenge, putting a long wrist shot from very high in the slot past Shesterkin. 1-1 after 1.

A lot, but not much, happened between the end of the first period and the OT. Mika was a turnover machine much of the night, Panarin was mostly a non-factor. None of the top nine other than Cuylle were much interested in hitting any of the Panthers. It took until late in the third and the ensuing OT before Kreider, Trocheck, and Lafreniere would lend Rempe a hand in pounding some pus…ahem…Panthers. The NYR would eventually end up credited with 51 hits, 9 from Rempe.

On Goodrow, who many felt was not deserving of his 3.5M cap hit by focusing only on his point production, it seems safe to say he has earned every penny he is due. Four critical goals in the playoffs, two game winners. Ninth in the NHL playoffs in PK TOI. Centering a fourth line that at times has been the only effective line on the ice. He’s not going anywhere.

On Rempe, those who feared he would only see four or five minutes of ice time were wrong. Rempe skated 10:06 in 17 shifts. Those shifts included five in the third period, the last with under two minutes left. He also got a very quick shift in the OT. He also again won the one face off he took. Had Vesey not been injured, Rempe’s total minutes would likely have been slightly higher. This game should go a long way to easy any concerns the coaching staff may have about playing Rempe on the road or in tight contests.

On Shesterkin, none of this would have been possible without some stellar play by the goalie. In this game, Shesterkin got the better of Bobrovsky, both were stellar. Learning from the prior game, Shesterkin was also a lot more careful handling the puck.

Notes: Rangers are 0-6 on PP after having had some issues late in the Carolina series too. Florida had not lost in playoff OT since 2016.

Game three will be in Florida on Sunday at 3:00 PM EDT.