Series “Rangers” – “Pittsburgh” will easily win in the nomination “the most spectacular couple of the first round.” There was everything in this confrontation: the Blueshirts’ comeback from 1-3, the story with unfriendly fans and Igor Shesterkin, and, of course, overtime in the seventh match.

So fans of beautiful hockey are even a little sad that such an interesting series has come to an end. But the Rangers fans are overjoyed that they managed to go further, leaving behind a very uncomfortable opponent.

Particularly happy is Artemy Panarin, who found himself under serious pressure, but gracefully turned the situation around with one throw. Now the Russian is the hero of New York!

Panarin in the shadow of Crosby

The Rangers were on the edge of the abyss after the fourth game, when the score in the series became 3-1 in favor of the Penguins. The only bright spot in this situation for the Blueshirts is the injury of Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby, who became an evil genius for the New York team: Crosby scored seven points in four games.

Photo: © REUTERS / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

But the team of Shesterkin and Panarin showed the will to win and took advantage of the absence of the Penguin leader, winning twice in a row. It seemed that Rangers fans could wait for the seventh match with a positive attitude, but the inexpressive game of the leaders of the Blueshirts slightly overshadowed the anticipation of the meeting.

Panarin met with the most criticism – the forward in the sixth match could not distinguish himself and ended the meeting with a utility indicator of “-1”. And the return of Crosby to the Pittsburgh lineup for the seventh game only increased the anxiety of the Rangers fans.

And in the seventh game of the series, all the fears of the Blueshirt fans were confirmed – the Pittsburgh captain played brilliantly, and the Rangers’ top scorer in the regular season, Panarin, frankly failed the meeting. However, the Russian needed only one throw to correct the situation.

From hate to love one throw

The decisive match of the series began in the best possible way for the Rangers – by the eighth minute, thanks to the efforts of Chris Kreider, the Blueshirts opened the scoring. But it was not in vain that the confrontation reached the seventh match, and at the end of the period, the “penguins” answered the opponent for the missed goal by converting the majority.

Perhaps the starting 20-minute period turned out to be the calmest, because starting from the second period, the teams got on the nerves of each other and the fans at the same time.

The hottest episode occurred in the middle of the match after the puck of Pittsburgh forward Jake Genzel. The American scored perhaps the most beautiful goal in the current playoffs – after the transfer of a teammate, the puck hit Genzel in the skate, soared into the air, and the forward sent it into the goal in one motion. The goal turned out to be a feast for the eyes, but it was embarrassing that at the time of the correction, the American hit the Shesterkin trap with a stick, preventing him from catching the puck. However, the judges allowed the goal.

“Penguins” on the courage ran forward and almost abandoned in the next shift. But Shesterkin made some amazing saves and kept the Rangers in the game. As a token of gratitude, the Blueshirts ran off to counterattack, and Q’Andre Miller equalized the match.

Pittsburgh had no plans to calm the game and bring things to overtime – at the end of the period, Evan Rodriguez again brought the Penguins forward. During such scoring shootouts, fans expect their leaders to be able to turn the tide of the meeting. Fans from New York also expected the same from Panarin, who in the case is considered the star and leader of the Rangers.

And the Russian was able to distinguish himself already at the beginning of the final 20-minutes, but not as the author of an abandoned puck – Artemy received a stupid removal in the attack zone. And Panarin, who held the meeting so nondescriptly, immediately aroused the anger of the fans.

– Panarin and Fox are just bad at skating … Why does it look like they are not making any effort? Slow skating, writes KrilleOfficial

Not enough has been said about Panarin’s terrible performance. Dude is the 2nd highest paid player in the NHL. He needs to score more, not retire. No excuses – dissatisfied with the game of the Russian gogojojo1223

– What is the point of having a stick for Panarin if he does not score the puck, but only retires? asks AverageYanksFan

Panarin was saved from even greater criticism or even worse by his compatriot Shesterkin. Igor showed skill and did not allow Pittsburgh to realize the majority. At the same time, Shesterkin showed an extremely reliable game throughout the entire distance of the match – the keeper repelled 42 shots out of 45.

Photo: © REUTERS/Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Such a tense and emotional series could not end so simply. This confrontation needed a sharper plot. And Mika Zibanejad gave it to all hockey fans, leveling the score five minutes before the end of the third period.

After Zibanejad’s puck, overtime has already begun, because if one team scored, then the second would have almost no time to recoup. But in regular time, hockey players no longer scored.

In overtime, Pittsburgh allowed an unaffordable luxury – Brock McGinn received a removal, leaving the Penguins in the minority. The Rangers took advantage and converted the majority, and Panarin became the hero of New York, who until a few minutes ago was the main target for criticism of the fans. But one accurate throw fixed everything. Panarin abandoned and drove the entire Rangers stadium crazy, causing a frenzy in the stands.

— Okay, I will continue to wear the Panarin jersey. King of New York! KevinMichelson1 admires Panarin’s goal

As a result, the Rangers defeated Pittsburgh in an interesting match – 4: 3 and went through to the next round. And from Panarin now they will not expect a bright flash, but stability, because next time it may not reach overtime in the seventh match.