Goodrow: A Good Expensive Fourth-Liner Proves Worth Every Penny To The Rangers.

What did I tell You Kind Folks in Rangerville! That my Big Five Predictions Would work.

Rangers would win on 1. Goaltending; 2. Resiliency; 3. Fourth Line depth; 4. The return of Matt Rempe; and 5. Physicality; as in out hitting the Visitors, 51-42

But it was grin-and-grunt foot soldier Barclay Goodrow who delivered the goodies last night at 14:01 of the first overtime as the capacity crowd almost blew the MSG roof into the Hudson River.

So, now we really have what most had hoped for – a real series against a – make no mistake – a real team; but a team that can be taken; although not without the "Tenacity Trio," blood, sweat and tears.

Not to mention the injury to redoubtable Jimmy Vesey who went down after a whacko job from Cats defender Brandon Montour.

The prime triple heroes were the costly, but clutch Goodrow for the winner; Vinnie Trocheck for the opening goal – as well as the closing pass to Goodie – and the 26 saves from Igor Shesrterkin.

"The key," reflected Goodrow, "was the great pass from Trocheck. Also (Will) Cuylle driving to the net which opened a lane. It was a great play by those two. All in all we played a good game and it was nice to get rewarded."

Goodrow could have added that he launched the winner by winning a face-off in his defensive zone.

Trocheck: "Every night Goodie brings the same fine game; and in different situations. He's outstanding and both ends of the ice."

All the key potholes of Game One were filled:

* Better Defensive Play: especially moving the puck and speedily getting to the puck.

* More Shots On Goal: Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves to 26 for Iggy.

* The Return of Rempe: Very simple; the Blueshirts almost always win when he plays; even when he does nothing. For a change "The People's Choice" was the coach's choice.

* The Rangers overall game was better and they won it playing five-on-five, keeping up with the size and speed of Florida.

Confidence has been restored as the New Yorkers jet to Florida for Game 3 tomorrow in Sunrise, and a lot of it is because of Shesterkin's perfect performance under overtime pressure.

"Igor is the best in the world," Trocheck insisted and there was no one around to challenge him. "He 'stole' it."

In his own not so small way so did Rempe who The Maven has campaigned for from the get go. Due to Jim Vesey's injury, Massive Matt got 10:06 playing time and led all players with nine hits.

"Rempe is not a liability," said ESPN's Mark Messier, "and he's well aware of his positioning."

Mark's colleague P.K. Subban added, "Rempe is now a staple in the Rangers lineup." He has to be since the Rangers record when he plays is a mere 21-3-.

Defenseman Adam Fox was an asset with a helper on Trocheck's opening goal. Generally unproductive because of a suspected injury, Foxy had moxy. "Hey," Adam glowed, "this was a massive win. The series is one-one; and not two-oh for them."

All things considered, the Panthers are satisfied with the split. Game 3 will be tomorrow at 3 p.m., at Amerant Bank Arena.

"We move on," said Florida's defenseman Aaron Ekblad, "and make a quick turn tomorrow. We expected the Rangers to come out explosive and we were ready for them."

Carter Verhaeghe, who scored the Panthers goal on a power play, asserted, "It's gonna be a battle. We're both the leaders in our conferences."

Not that the Rangers played a perfect game. The power play failed and sharpshooters such as Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were unimpressive.

But the Blueshirts tied the series and this much is certain; Matt Rempe will be in the lineup tomorrow and disappointing Kaapo Kakko once again will watch from the press box.

"I liked our game," concluded Peter Laviolette, as well he should. "It was a big win for us!"