Artemi Panarin's Game-Winning Between-the-Legs Goal Gives Rangers 3–0 Series Lead

Karl Rasmussen | May 9, 2024

Artemi Panarin scores game-winning goal in Game 3 vs. Carolina Hurricanes / Screenshot via NHL on X

The New York Rangers are the first team in 16 years to win each of their first seven games in a single postseason, courtesy, yet again, of some late heroics from superstar forward Artemi Panarin.

"The Breadman" delivered his fourth game-winning goal of the playoffs on Thursday night, beating Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov with a stunning between-the-legs redirection that found the back of the net.

Just over one minute into overtime, Vincent Trocheck rifled a dangerous pass across the front of the goal, which Panarin tapped in with a nifty move that left Kochetkov without any chance at making a save. Panarin capped off the game-winning goal with his beloved leg kick celebration just before his teammates engulfed him with celebratory hugs.

BREADMAN WINS IT 🥖

Artemi Panarin scores 1:43 into @SportChek overtime as the @NYRangers take Game 3! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/QiaIMwRIzN

— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2024

The last time the Rangers went 7–0 to start a playoff run was in 1994, which was also the last time they won a Stanley Cup.

Fans on social media were blown away by Panarin's jaw-dropping winner, and they had plenty of praise for the 32-year-old .

Panarin went BETWEEN-THE-LEGS for the OT winner 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JUgZdcBiaQ

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 10, 2024

On first glance I thought it was a lucky deflection but Panarin is so skilled to pull that off!

— Seán Hartnett (@SeanLikesSports) May 10, 2024

Oh my God Panarin with a deflection from The Heavens!!!!

Unreal.

— Mr. Glass Half-Full (@MisterGHF) May 10, 2024

PANARIN BETWEEN THE LEGS BABY

— Alex (@NYR_Alex) May 10, 2024

Panarin only scores big goals in the playoffs.

— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 (@Garts2point2) May 10, 2024

Panarin brought the kick celebration back.

May as well plan the parade now.

— Seany Salami (@Seany__Salami) May 10, 2024