Artemi PanarinThe overtime power-play goal by's defender at 4:46 gave the's victory New York RangersThe game 7 win was 4-3. Pittsburgh PenguinsSunday night
The Rangers will take on the Carolina HurricanesThe second round marks the first time that New York has advanced beyond the first round since 2017.
The Penguins wanted a second-round appearance, for the first since 2018. This loss could be the end for their core of veterans, who have been together since 2018. Evgeni MalkinDefenseman Kris LetangYou can become a free agent this summer
Goalie Igor Shesterkin42 saves Forward Mika ZibanejadTwo assists and a goal were recorded. In overtime, the Rangers' power-play, which was fourth-best in NHL and powered the team during regular season, was decisive.
Penguins Forward Brock McGinnOn the other hand, a holding penalty was applied K'Andre MillerOnly 2:55 minutes into overtime Panarin's shot on the right side beat Penguins goalie, after having pressed the Penguins. Tristan JarryFor the overtime winner.
For Game 7, the Penguins had their lineup rearranged. Captain Sidney CrosbyAfter suffering an injury to his upper body in Game 5, he didn't return to the ice for Game 6. Both Rangers victories were not possible because of this. Forward also returned to the ice. Rickard RakellAfter suffering an injury in Game 1, he had been absent since then. Tristan Jarry, regular-season goalie and a former foot injury victim, made his dramatic return.
The Rangers took a 1-0 lead at 7:36 of the first period. After Shesterkin made some saves on point-blank attempts, a Danton HeinenMika Zibanejad was a result of turnover Chris KreiderSprinting out for a 2-on-1. Zibanejad sent an assist across the zone. Kreider then blasted Jarry's glove with the puck from the right sideline circle.
Four Rangers penalties were handed to the Penguins in the first period. This included a double-minor penalty for high-sticking. Jacob TroubaCrosby was knocked out of Games 5 & 6 by Crosby's hit.
It was on the second Trouba penalty that the Penguins tied it. Jeff CarterHeinen shot the puck towards the Rangers' net. It appeared that Heinen got it past Shesterkin. Two Penguins players raised both their sticks to celebrate. The play continued for another 27 second until a horn was heard to signal that the League had reviewed play and scored a goal.
The Pittsburgh bench began to celebrate and pointed up at the roof in celebration. Replays revealed that the puck crossed before the Rangers defenseman. Adam FoxIt could be swept away.
The game was tied at 1-1 after the first period. The Penguins led with 9:42 to go in the second half. This was due to a controversial video review. With Kaapo KakkoPittsburgh forward Jake GuentzelTaken a Bryan RustPass, kicked the puck towards his stick and deflected the puck over Shesterkin’s glove while his stick was high in the air.
Evidently, not too high. A video review confirmed that the call on the Ice would stand. The NHL Situation Room stated that “video review confirmed Jake Guentzel's stick was at the or below the height on the crossbar when he directed puck into Rangers net.”
However, this advantage was fleeting. Miller fired a puck off the defenseman at 1:05. Mike MathesonTo tie the game at 2, skate and get in behind a diving Jarry.
Rangers had another chance with their power play. This was 3 for its 6 last entries to the game. But the Penguins scored their third special teams goal. Trouba's mistake and a forward turnover. Filip ChytilAllowable Evan RodriguesSpring for a shorthanded breakaway. He won the match with a single-handed backhand sweep past Shesterkin, giving him a 3-2 lead at 2:36 in the second.
Rodrigues felt a sense of redemption after that game. After Game 6, Mike Sullivan called Rodrigues out for taking a retaliation penal with the Penguins up 2-0. This sparked the Rangers' comeback victory.
It was crucial for many reasons. The Penguins' ability and skill to win close games is the most important. In the playoffs, Pittsburgh was 33-1-1 after two periods. Rangers were 4-20-2 after two periods.
Jarry continued to play strong in the third, with a crucial stop on Rangers forward Tyler MotteA shorthanded breakaway. The Rangers tied it on a Zibanejad goal at 5:45 in regulation.
The Penguins bench was unhappy on the play as defenseman Marcus PetterssonRangers forward ripped his helmet off Alexis LafreniereBehind the net. The game reached overtime where Panarin won.
The Rangers have never played the Carolina Hurricanes team in the playoffs, even though it was the Hartford Whalers. New York lost, 3-0, in the qualifying round to the 2020 “bubble”, playoffs to the Hurricanes — which included Shesterkin’s playoff debut.
