Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Reinhart’s overtime game-winner propelled the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 victory over the visiting New York Rangers to knot the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece on Tuesday.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
REINHART WINS IT FOR FLORIDA 🚨 pic.twitter.com/sWXoDffTKj
The Panthers went on the power play after Rangers right wing Blake Wheeler was called for hooking on center Aleksander Barkov just 59 seconds into the extra session.
After Florida won the faceoff, the puck found its way to defenseman Brandon Montour, who slotted a pass to Barkov on the goal line.
Barkov then quickly fired the puck to Reinhart, who was waiting in the inner half of the right faceoff circle. The 28-year-old center then shot a one-timer past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, who finished with 38 saves.
The Panthers dominated the last two periods, posting 27 shots on goal to the Rangers’ 10. Florida broke through twice in the second period, scoring off a Sam Bennett even-strength tally and a Carter Verhaeghe power-play goal.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
FLORIDA TIES IT UP pic.twitter.com/EDTjQhQ9Ld
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
VERHAEGHE BATS IT OUT OF MID AIR 😱 pic.twitter.com/TKNTZbTabE
Those goals swung the momentum away from the Rangers, who grabbed it in the first period after center Vincent Trocheck one-timed an Artemi Panarin pass for a power-play score that clipped the underside of the crossbar before going in.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
TROCHECK GETS THINGS STARTED IN SUNRISE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yPFkeWayBF
Despite being out-shot 13-5 in the third period, the Rangers scored the final regulation frame’s lone goal when Alexis Lafrenière paid off a beautiful back-handed setup from defenseman Adam Fox.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
WHAT A SETUP BY FOX FOR LAFRENIERE 😱 pic.twitter.com/hN4d9oCWEM
Neither team could break through in the remainder of regulation, leading to the series’ third straight overtime matchup. The Rangers won the first two, but Reinhart stopped that streak cold with a quick OT goal.
Fans were impressed with the effort:
Ggoldman the Golden gang 1-0 them @GregGOLD19
Great shot by Reinhart it was gonna take a perfect shot to beat Igor
Joe @HeatMando
They gonna back up the Brinks truck for Reinhart this summer
Disappointed Cats Fan @sportspessimism
Thank god Sam Reinhart lifted the puck. That’s the key. Lift it.
Christopher Murphy @n4stradamus
Absolutely was having an anxiety attack thinking the Rags may be up 3 games to 1 when we are spanking them every game. Thank you barkov and Reinhart #Timetohunt
Brian Startare @brianstartare
Sam Reinhart just finished the game with an absolute incredible shot. What a series. You hockey haters should check out game 5. You’ll love it.
OT winner : It’s akin to the walk off HR.
And when it’s in the playoffs , it’s so much better.
Hope @hopeggab
Sam Reinhart is unbelievable
Miko @yehmiko
BARKOV TO REINHART BANGGGGGG BANGGG 🐀🐀🐀🐀 CATS TIE IT UP
Boyd @Boyd_1212
Whew what a shot by Reinhart top corner off a great one touch feed by Barkov. Really impressive win by the Panthers. #StanleyCupPlayoffs
steph @DELlC4TES
sam reinhart i love you so much you did that for me thank you and goodnight
Erik @rickyoddd
That was an absolute snipe from Reinhart
Dennis Mick @OHLNOJHLWHL
Sam Reinhart beauty Shot and the OT Winner WOW !
Zach Shapero @ShaperoZach
REINHART SNIPE!!!!! WHAT A SHOT!!!!! GREAT PUCK MOVEMENT!!!!! #TimeToHunt
Scott @ScottSchierl
BANGGGGG REINHART IS AN ANIMAL
erin @emohischier
SAM REINHART I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EXISTENCE
kev 🐻 @drunktankpiink
REINHART ON SPECIAL TEAMS IS INEVITABLE
Conor Hurley @CHurls13
unebelievable powerplay. insane puck movement and targeted ability to get the puck to reinhart at the bumper, and most important, amazing finish.
bring back Samson and run it @BuffaloSabres pic.twitter.com/7TeZ7iZwqd
Game 5 will take place on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in New York. Game 6 will follow on Saturday in Florida. Game 7, if necessary, will go down Monday at 8 p.m.
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