5. Match six, second round 2024
This is the game I struggled to get the most out of all the games. The Rangers won the series against the Carolina Hurricanes by winning this game, so it has a major factor. But what sealed a spot in the top five for me was Chris Kreider single-handedly putting the Rangers on his back.
To rewind, after taking a 3-0 series lead, the Rangers lost consecutive games to the Hurricanes. Carolina took the lead in Game Six, leaving Rangers fans worried they were on their way to blowing the series.
Then Chris Kreider scored. Then he scored again. Then he scored again. Suddenly the Rangers had won the game and the series. It was one of the most notable play-off performance in a single game I’ve ever seen.
4. First round match seven 2022
Something I find super fascinating is that Rangers fans relive Derek Stepan’s Game Seven overtime goal all the time, but don’t talk too much about Artemi Panarin’s Game Seven overtime goal. I don’t know if it’s because Stepan was a more favored Ranger, because he finished first, or because he got into the next round.
Anyway, if we’re talking about which game was more fun, I’d actually choose this one. The Rangers came back from 3-1 down (as they always seemed to be) and trailed with less than six minutes to go until Mika Zibanejad tied the game. In extra time, K’Andre Miller drew a penalty (which should have been called a penalty shot), and Artemi Panarin tapped home the series winner. Being the first Rangers series win since 2017, it caused quite a stir in MSG.
3. 2015 Second Round, Match Seven
This is where the aforementioned Derek Stepan game takes place. I posted it before the Panarin game just because it happened later in the postseason, sending the Rangers deeper into the playoffs. Stepan’s rebound winner past Braden Holtby will forever play a part in Rangers history, even though the team couldn’t win the Cup.
2. 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, game four
Through the first two games of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers dominated the Montreal Canadiens. In game three, New York tied the game in the final seconds, but lost in overtime. If the Rangers lost game four, it would have felt like the wheels were coming off.
Instead, Martin St. Louis floated around brilliantly, waiting for a loose puck to be released, grabbed the puck and fired one past Dustin Tokarski, putting the Rangers one win away from a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
1. 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, Game Six
The Rangers finally made it to the Stanley Cup for the first time since winning it all in 1994. Dominic Moore scored the only goal of the game, Henrik Lundqvist had a game for the ages and the Rangers didn’t break, beating the Canadiens 1-0 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing your team is going to play for the ultimate prize (other than actually winning that prize). There was no doubt whatsoever that this game would get that one spot.
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