Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The New York Rangers displayed a mostly lifeless offense Wednesday en route to a 3-0 home loss to the Florida Panthers to begin the Eastern Conference Final.
The Blueshirts were shut out just once in 92 games (regular season plus playoffs) entering the Panthers series. That was way back on Dec. 9, when New York fell 4-0 to the Washington Capitals.
But New York had a brutal showing Wednesday, notably managing just 12 shots on goal through two periods. That included a stretch of one shot on goal over a 16-minute stretch.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
The Rangers have just 10 shots through almost two full periods 😳
They have ONE shot on goal in the last 16 minutes pic.twitter.com/2J20RVlgSV
The Rangers did have their chances, including breakaways from Braden Schneider and Will Cuylle, a Mika Zibanejad one-timer that went wide, a four-shot flurry in 12 seconds during the third period and a late power play right after that.
However, the Rangers’ goose egg never changed shape over 60 minutes. Well-deserved credit goes to Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who finished with a 23-save shutout and made clutch stops along the way.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthers
Sergei *and we cannot stress this enough* Bobrovsky pic.twitter.com/bpEsNCkYSG
Meanwhile, the Panthers got on the board late in the first period off a Matthew Tkachuk goal.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthers
Quick transition to get the lead! pic.twitter.com/lcHYmLf7Sp
The score remained 1-0 until the Rangers scored an unofficial own goal after Alexis Lafrenière deflected one in with 3:48 remaining. Carter Verhaeghe got the credit.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthers
It counts for Carter! pic.twitter.com/FklY4rbLu7
Sean Bennett scored an empty-netter to seal the scoring.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthers
Benny makes it 3-0! pic.twitter.co