“The most beautiful goal this far all season”: NHL fans react as Alex Wennberg leads the Rangers to Game 3 victory against the Panthers in OT

The New York Rangers won a nailbiter Game 3 5-4 in overtime as Alex Wennberg notched his first goal of the postseason.

Wennberg’s goal came on a deflection in front of Florida Panthers’ netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. The deflection left Bobrovsky unable to make the save, sealing the victory for New York.

As soon as the game was in the books, fans reacted to the Rangers’ overtime winner, sharing some very entertaining comments.

One fan had high praise for the goal, claiming it's the most beautiful one in the year to date:

Another fan agreed with this assessment:

Here’s a fan who thought the Panthers had no reason to complain about the goal:

"What was the goalie whining about"

As fans celebrated the goal, other fans expressed their views on the way New York played. Some fans felt the Rangers didn’t play as well as they could have.

This fan feels the Rangers simply got lucky:

"Luckiest team ever."

Here’s another fan who felt the real hero wasn’t Wennberg but another player:

"Goalie carrying the team."

Another fan felt New York shouldn’t have won this contest:

"Rangers did not deserve this one."

With the victory, New York now leads the Eastern Conference Finals 2-1. Game 4 will take place on Tuesday night in Florida, where New York looks to take a 3-1 series lead.

Igor Shesterkin carried the Rangers in Game 3

As one fan expressed on X, the “goalie is carrying the team.” Indeed, Igor Shesterkin was lights-out when he had to despite giving up four goals in game 3.

Shesterkin allowed two goals in the first period on eight shots. While he looked shaky, he settled in the second period. New York took over the middle frame, heading into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead.

As the Panthers came out aggressive in the third period, two quick goals tied the game at four. Florida’s relentless attack in the second half of the third period pushed New York on their heels. It seemed like the blue shirts had no answer to the Panthers’ onslaught.

Throughout the entire situation, Shesterkin’s solid play kept his team in the game. A good example came late in the third when Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk broke out in front of the net, but Shesterkin got his right pad out to make a close save.

Then, there was a penalty late in the third by New York. The Panthers blasted away at Shesterkin. He made at least three high-quality saves on the Panthers, in particular, a point shot turned aside by Shesterkin’s blocker.

While Shesterkin wasn’t overly tested in overtime, his mission was complete. He kept New York in the game. Then, all his team needed was one shot to win the game. They got it and now lead the series.