Panthers forward Vladimir Tarasenko speaks after a practice on May 27. The Eastern Conference Final is now a best-of-3. For a third straight game, 60 minutes of regulation time was not enough. This time, it was the Florida Panthers who came out on top, defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 on Tuesday night to even the series at two games apiece. Both teams were given opportunities on the power play during the game’s early stages. Florida couldn’t cash in despite putting four quick shots on Igor Shesterkin, but the Rangers capitalized on a clean faceoff win leading to a Vincent Trocheck one-timer from the high-slot past Sergei Bobrovsky to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Mika Zibanejad nearly gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a second power play late in the period, but the puck glanced off Bobrovsky’s shoulder before clanging off the crossbar. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] The second period was all Panthers once it got going. Florida dominated the first ten minutes, earning a power play when Ryan Lindgren was called for holding Sasha Barkov behind the Rangers net. They didn’t score on the power play, but just after the penalty expired, Sam Bennett was able to poke a Shesterkin rebound over the goal line to tie the game at one. Just over two minutes later, Ryan Lindgren shot the puck over the glass and gave Florida another power play, and this time they’d cash in thanks to some smooth hand-eye coordination by Carter Verhaeghe in front of the net. Despite the game being mostly controlled by Florida, the Rangers did what they’ve been doing all series and capitalized on a good opportunity. A spinning pass by Adam Fox found a wide-open Alexis Lafreniere at the back post, and he tapped the puck between Bobrovsky’s legs and into the net to tie the game at two with 16:32 to go. Florida ended up outshooting the Rangers 13-5 during the third period, but the only goal was scored by the visitors, meaning we were heading to overtime for the third straight game in this series. At the 59 second mark of overtime, Barkov drew a hooking penalty on Blake Wheeler, and it took the Panthers all of 12 seconds to cash in. A face off win, a few quick passes and Sam Reinhart in the slot. Ballgame. On to Game 5. Here are some thoughts and observations from Game 4 against the Rangers: Bennett is up to four goals and seven points through 10 playoff games. It’s now a five-game points streak for Verhaeghe. He’s got three goals and seven points during the run and nine goals and 17 points through 15 postseason outings. Reinhart is up to eight goals and 12 points during the playoffs, including three goals over his past two games. Florida finished 2-for-4 on the power play while killing off two of the Rangers three man advantages. Barkov has four points over his past two games after logging a pair of assists in Game 4. His playoff point total is up to 17. Tkachuk also has three points over his past two outings. He leads the Panthers with 19 postseason points. Forsling now has points in four of his past five games. Bobrovsky was credited with an assist on Bennett’s second period goal. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Okposo, Lorentz may be back in as Panthers make changes ahead of Game 4 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/okposo-lorentz-may-be-back-in-as-panthers-make-changes-ahead-of-game-4] Panthers enter crucial Game 4 feeling comfortable despite consecutive OT defeats [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-enter-crucial-game-4-feeling-comfortable-despite-consecutive-ot-defeats] Three takeaways: Lots to like despite OT loss, Cats won't dwell as confidence remains high [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-lots-to-like-despite-close-ot-loss-cats-wont-dwell-as-confidence-remains-high] Rangers' Jacob Trouba fined $5,000 for elbow to head of Panthers' Evan Rodrigues during Game 3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/rangers-jacob-trouba-fined-5000-for-elbow-to-head-of-panthers-evan-rodrigues-during-game-3] Panthers playoff tickets donated to local veterans, first responders by Amerant Bank [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-playoff-tickets-donated-to-local-veterans-first-responders-by-amerant-bank-] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
