The hockey gods are smiling upon the New York Rangers, and their fans are soaking up every second of it in the Big Apple. After watching their beloved Blueshirts ring three shots off the post in Game 1’s loss at Madison Square Garden, Rangers supporters have had their faith shaken as the Florida Panthers have given them all they can handle.
Despite getting largely outplayed down the stretch of the past two matchups, and blowing a two-goal lead in the third period of Sunday’s Game 3, a couple timely overtime goals have helped New York seize a 2-1 series lead in these Eastern Conference Finals. Although Barclay Goodrow backed up his heroic winner from Game 2 with two more goals this afternoon, it was Alex Wennberg’s turn to get the job done in extra time with an outstanding deflection to secure a stunning 5-4 road victory.
ALEX WENNBERG GAME WINNER!!!
NEW YORK HAS TAKEN A 2-1 SERIES LEAD #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/rJ6tCxjwjY
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024
The fact that this game was in Florida didn’t stop Rangers stans from gathering en masse around their massive city. By far the best watch party, though, was at Central Park. Just look at this setup:
SummerStage is SET for our Game 3 Viewing Party in Central Park presented by @Benjamin_Moore. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RlXnjxdvbb
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 26, 2024
Quite the spread, eh? It’s almost like when you put this type of big vibe out into the universe, you’re bound to reap the benefits. What a bummer scene it would’ve been for myriad New Yorkers striding to the subway, shoulder slumped, after a Panthers win. Instead, this is what we got:
THE CROWD IN CENTRAL PARK WENT WILD FOR THE OT WINNER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iwEwk5L4yP
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 26, 2024
live from Central Park. THE CROWD GOES WILD #nyr pic.twitter.com/LvnO2iUKhW
— Daria (@_darialabazova) May 26, 2024
The @NYRangers fans are LOVIN' it back at home! 👏 #StanleyCup https://t.co/us11RSKvLV pic.twitter.com/ikPZi4hqzF
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2024
As if MSG wasn’t electrifying enough.
The Panthers really have been the better team throughout the series. More precise puck movement. Relentless forechecking. Hell, New York yielded three power play opportunities in the opening period, leading to two Florida goals. Before the previously touched on Panthers rally, the Rangers had to kill off a double-minor penalty across the end of the second and start of the third. Lots of sloppy play for the Presidents’ Trophy winners, bailed out in large part by their sensational goaltender, Igor Shesterkin.
Real ones know, and GOATed SportsCenter anchor Linda Cohn is a real one.
Never would have happened without Igor Shesterkin. Making saves at the right time and plenty of them was the difference. His play late in the 3rd when the Rangers were out of gas plus early in OT was remarkable! #NYR
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) May 26, 2024
If the Rangers can somehow grind out another dub in the Sunshine State, they’ll have the chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals at home in Game 5. Can’t imagine what the city will be like if that happens. In the meantime, Shesterkin and his mates will do their utmost to create another frenzy around Gotham on Tuesday night. Hopefully it’s not too much to ask: A Matt Rempe vs. Matthew Tkachuk fight. We must get it before this series ends.
