Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap May 26, 2024 – WENNBERG SCORES FIRST PLAYOFF OVERTIME GOAL TO LIFT RANGERS TO VICTORY
Alex Wennberg scored his first career playoff overtime goal to stymie the Panthers’ multi-goal, third-period comeback attempt and lift the Rangers to a 2-1 series lead, marking the club’s second straight overtime win after also claiming Game 2 and 3 in extra time last round against Carolina. New York improved to 4-0 in the extra frame this postseason, matching their most overtime wins in a playoff year in franchise history (also 4-1 in 2015).
- The contest also featured both Alexis Lafrenière and Barclay Goodrow scoring twice including a pair that came 25 seconds apart. The Rangers scored two goals in a span of 25 seconds during the round before the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history, following Game 4 of the 1932 Semifinals (Ott Heller & Bill Cook in 0:20) and Game 1 of the 2014 Conference Finals (Derek Stepan & Rick Nash in 0:25).
- Lafrenière scored two highlight-reel goals Sunday and improved his career playoff totals to 8-13—21 (40 GP). He became the third player in franchise history with 20 career playoff points at age 22 or younger, joining Alex Kovalev (13-19—32 in 33 GP) and Don Maloney (8-23—31 in 40 GP).
- Goodrow scored his fifth and sixth goals of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, surpassing his 80-game total from the regular season (4). His second marker was the Rangers’ League-leading fifth shorthanded goal this postseason – New York recorded five shorthanded goals in a playoff year for the third time on record (since 1933-34) after also doing so in 1979 (6) and 1992 (5).
RANGERS SET NHL RECORD WITH COMEBACK WIN
The Rangers have made a habit of earning come-from-behind wins in 2023-24, with 52% of all their victories through the regular season and playoffs combined coming in comeback fashion (34/65) – a new NHL record. New York recorded its sixth comeback win of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which passed Colorado and Vancouver for the most among all teams. That number is also tied for their most in a postseason in franchise history (also 6 in 1974).
- The Rangers earned the NHL’s 35th comeback win of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is tied for the third most at this stage of a postseason in League history (also 2010, 2006, 1993 & 1982). The only playoff years with more: 1999 (38) and 1991 (37).
Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for elbowing Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues during Game 3. The incident occurred at 17:32 of the second period. Trouba was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SHIFTS TO ALBERTA FOR GAME 3 ON MONDAY
The Western Conference Final shifts from Texas to Alberta when the Oilers host the Stars in Game 3 at Rogers Place on Monday. The contest is available on TNT, Max and truTV in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and CBC in Canada.
- Leon Draisaitl (9-16—25 in 14 GP), who leads the League in scoring during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, was held off the score sheet for the first time Saturday but can extend his postseason-opening home point streak to seven games. Draisaitl (5-7—12 in 6 GP) can become the ninth different player in franchise history to record a run of that length, with that group including Connor McDavid (8 GP in 2022).
- Jake Oettinger owns a 1-3 record through six career playoff appearances in Alberta but has a 1.24 goals-against average, .963 save percentage and one shutout in those contests. His total includes two relief appearances in the neutral-site bubble at Rogers Place during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and a historic 64-save performance at Scotiabank Saddledome during Game 7 of the 2022 First Round.