May 7, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Artemi Panarin scores Game 7 OT winner to send Rangers to second round

Artemi Panarin scored a power play goal 4:46 into overtime, lifting the New York Rangers over the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3 in overtime of Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.

With the victory, the Rangers complete a comeback after being down 3-1 in the series to Pittsburgh. The Rangers now advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they'll match up with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Mike Zibanejad had three points to lead the way for the Rangers, scoring a goal and adding two assists. 

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves off 45 shots, allowing two power play goals and a shorthanded tally. 

The Rangers struck first when Chris Kreider scored at 7:36 of the first period to give New York an early 1-0 lead. Danton Heinen scored the equalizer for the Penguins on the power play at 18:51, and the two teams headed to the first intermission locked up at 1-1.

Tied 1-1 in the second period, Pittsburgh's second power play goal, this one from Jake Guentzel, gave the Penguins their first lead, 2-1, 10:18 into the period. However, K'Andre Miller scored for the Rangers just a minute later, tying the game again, 2-2. 

Pittsburgh continued to get strong play from its special team units, retaking the lead on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Evan Rodrigues with 2:36 left in the second period.

The Penguins held onto a 3-2 lead through more than half of the third period before Zibanejad tied things up at 14:15 to force overtime. That set the stage for Panarin's heroics only minutes into overtime. 

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