Recap: Artemiy Panarin the Game 3 Overtime Hero

For the second game in a row, a decision would require some bonus hockey but before we get there, the big story going into Game 3 in Raleigh involved the Rangers first lineup change of the postseason. To everyone’s surprise, the Rangers warmed up with 21 skaters. That 21st skater was none other than Filip Chytil. Sure enough after taking line rushes with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko, Chytil was set to make his long-awaited return to the Rangers lineup. 

1st Period:

All eyes were on the Rangers third line as they took the ice for their first shift with Filip Chytil taking the ice for the first time since November. Just the exact type of low event, yet effective shift you’d want in that situation. Exactly two minutes in, the Rangers got the first penalty of the night as they were caught with too-many men on the ice. Not a penalty you want to take in the playoffs but either way, the Rangers continued to thrive on the penalty kill. 

Just over a minute after the teams returned to even strength, the official’s arm went back up for what initially looked to be another Rangers penalty. They ended up giving Alexander Wennberg two minutes for holding Andrei Svechnikov, but also gave Svechnikov two minutes for an embellishment. Really not sure how you can call both the infraction and an embellishment instead of one or the other but I suppose a 4-on-4 is better than potentially being on the wrong side of that call. 

No harm associated with the fouls but just over the midway point of the period, the Hurricanes got on the scoreboard. Very similar to how Carolina managed to beat Igor Shesterkin in Game’s 1 and 2, a Dmitry Orlov shot from the point deflected off a stick in front to give his team an early 1-0 lead. Of course, that stick in front belonged to Jake Guentzel who continues to be such a bothersome opponent for the Blueshirts.  

At this point, the Rangers were being out-shot significantly as they were credited with only a small handful of pucks on net while the Hurricanes were already well into the double digits. Soon afterwards, the Rangers were finally able to get another puck on net which ended up leading to a serious scrum breaking out. As the whistle blew, Barclay Goodrow took a swipe at the puck which set off Orlov causing Jimmy Vesey to get involved. As the initial scrum was slowing down, Vesey ended up actually dropping the gloves with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, however it wouldn’t be substantial enough to warrant any major penalties. 

Not the most ideal outcome for the Rangers who likely might have gotten a power play out of this had Vesey not dropped the gloves but nevertheless, play continued 5-on-5. Goodrow and Vesey received matching minors with Kotkaniemi and Orlov but would need to wait for a whistle to return to action. Less than two minutes later, the Rangers would finally get their turn on the power play as Guentzel caught K’Andre Miller up high with this stick. 

As the power play went to work, this was easily the best two minutes of the Rangers period as they got some really good looks from that top unit but would inevitably run out of opportunities with it. Through the final five minutes of the period, the Rangers were struggling to maintain substantial offensive zone time but were still far from out of things. Shots were 17-8 after the opening twenty with Carolina leading the way in practically everything. Most noticeably, they were out-hitting the Rangers 17-3 which made sense considering the circumstances of the series. With plenty of hockey left, the Rangers needed to find their stride in the second in order to climb their way back into this thing. 

2nd Period:

The Rangers caught a break to start the second after another storming start from Carolina as Wennberg got tripped up at the blue line after entering the offensive zone. Back to the power play, the Rangers weren’t dominating as clearly as they had in this series and halfway through it, Artemiy Panarin was sent off for a dumb hooking penalty. You could call it a weak call but realistically, that’s a penalty you can’t take, especially on the power play. He would get the chance for redemption as he ended up on a breakaway coming out of the box but ran out of room on the deke attempt. 

The puck ended up in the corner after the big scoring chance which prompted an interference penalty from Brady Skjei to give the Rangers another man advantage. Another massive chance for the Rangers to turn the momentum around but it was quickly starting to seem like Carolina was getting a better read on how to defend their attack. Not long after the team’s returned to even strength, it was Adam Fox going off for tripping. 

In the midst of another brilliant penalty kill, Mika Zibanejad ended up breaking the puck out himself. As he took it hard to the net, he had Chris Kreider breaking with him and sure enough, Mika found a way to find him. A beautiful little give-ahead pass and Kreider was able to one-touch it past Kochetkov, making it a 1-1 game. 

The Rangers nearly found the lead following a Vincent Trocheck breakaway that wouldn’t make it through Kochetkov’s five hole. The Rangers would continue with the penalty kill as Jack Roslovic was called for hooking just over the midway point of the period. Again, some of these penalties are just real headscratchers. At any rate, the Rangers continued to excel down a man and Chris Kreider nearly did it again, ringing a shot off the post on another odd-man rush with Zibanejad. 

A much better period as things progressed. The Rangers were getting more serious scoring chances, playing with a ton more jump than they had in the opening period. After forty minutes of play, shots were now 37-20 in favor of Carolina as Shesterkin was continuing to come up incredibly clutch for the Rangers. With the score tied heading into second intermission, it was looking more and more like it could come down to another one goal decision. 

3rd Period:

Things slowed down quite a bit to start the final period of regulation but once both sides settled in, play started to open back up. With about six minutes into the third, Vincent Trocheck made a beautiful one touch pass, taking a hit to make the play. Panarin then walked the puck into the zone and found Alexis Lafrenière across the slot who was able to let the show go soaring past Kochetkov to give the Rangers the 2-1 lead. 

Again, the Rangers nearly picked up an immediate follow up goal as Filip Chytil pulled off an incredible deke to get around the defender, taking the puck to the net but was shut down by Kochetkov. Soon after, the Rangers got another chance on the power play as Tony DeAngelo took a stupid retaliation penalty for spearing Trouba after the Rangers Captain delivered a big hit. Another big chance for the Rangers to convert on the power play but no dice as play went on. 

Less than thirty seconds after the teams returned to even strength, Braden Schneider was sent off for cross-checking. Can’t even keep up with all these calls and non-calls. No matter how you slice it, it’s too many penalties, let them play. Same story for the Rangers penalty killers and as the period continued on, time seemed to be moving slower and slower. 

The Hurricanes pulled Kochetkov with plenty of time for the extra attacker and despite their efforts, the Rangers just couldn’t fully clear the zone. Low and behold, the same way they scored their earlier goal, Svechnikov deflected a Sebastian Aho shot to tie the game up and force another night of overtime hockey. 

Overtime:

Well it’s just like they say, there’s only two types of overtime in the playoffs. The ones that end quickly, or the ones that go late into the night and sure enough, tonight would end quickly. Just 103 seconds in, Vincent Trocheck threw the puck to the net from down low and it would be Artemiy Panarin right in front to redirect it through his legs, surprising Kochetkov. The New York Rangers have taken a 3-0 lead in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes. 

This. Team. To answer so quickly into overtime after that bummer end to the third was beyond words huge. The Rangers now have the chance to once again, wrap up a series extremely quickly. Such a special win tonight, enjoy it for a couple hours and then it's right back to business as usual tomorrow. They're right back at it same time Saturday Night. Let's keep this thing going!