Barclay Goodrow OT Heroics Propel Rangers to Thrilling Victory

During the regular season, New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow scored four goals in 80 games. However, in just 12 playoff games, he has already matched that total. This includes his crucial overtime goal that secured a win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers. With this victory, the Rangers have tied the series 1-1.

Barclay Goodrow has been a standout for the New York Rangers in the playoffs, already matching his regular season goal total of four in just 12 playoff games.

This includes his dramatic overtime goal that secured a 2-1 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers, leveling the series at 1-1.

Reflecting on his increased scoring, Barclay Goodrow said, “I don’t know I just try to bring my best game every night. It feels good whenever you can do something to help the team.” His hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed by his teammates, who were thrilled to see one of their most unsung heroes shine in a crucial moment.

He’s one of those guys that helps teams win. He’s a big time player who shows up in important games, said Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. Which praising Goodrow’s consistent impact on the ice.

Coach Peter Laviolette also spoke highly of Goodrow’s performance, saying, “Seeing him score a goal like tonight is awesome because his role usually doesn’t involve that. He does so many other things that help the team be successful, so when he makes a huge impact with a goal, it’s really special.”

Goodrow’s teammates and coach were ecstatic about his performance, highlighting how he excels in roles that often go unnoticed but are crucial for the team’s success. His ability to step up in critical moments has earned him high praise and underscores his importance to the Rangers’ playoff run.

Barclay Goodrow scored the winning goal at 14:01 of overtime. The play began with defenseman Jacob Trouba, who made an outlet pass from the Rangers’ defensive zone. Barclay Goodrow skillfully knocked down the pass with his stick near center ice. He then passed the puck to his teammate Vincent Trocheck.

Trocheck sent an aerial pass back to Barclay Goodrow, who was now in the Panthers’ zone. Meanwhile, linemate Will Cuylle drove to the net, ready for a possible rebound. Barclay Goodrow seized the opportunity and scored, clinching the victory for the Rangers.

I guess I don’t really remember exactly how it went in, but I just remember Troch made a great pass to me, Barclay Goodrow said. Cools was driving the net, opening up the lane. So it was a great play by those two.

Goodrow fired a wobbly puck that slipped past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 28 saves, for the game winner.

I don’t like to talk about the goals. He just shot and scored, Bobrovsky said. It is what it is. Two good teams playing hockey. It’s a good win for them.

As the Rangers celebrated Goodrow’s goal on the ice in front of a cheering Madison Square Garden crowd, the Panthers stood at their bench, questioning if Goodrow had touched the puck with a high stick to start the play. However, the goal was reviewed and confirmed, remaining on the board.

Goodrow said he never thought he hit the puck with a high stick. “No. In the play, it never crossed my mind,” he said.

Goodrow has done well in the playoffs before. He was an important player off the bench for the Tampa Bay Lightning when they won the Stanley Cup two times in a row, in 2020 and 2021. After that, in July 2021, he left the Lightning and signed a contract with the New York Rangers. The contract was for six years and worth $21.85 million.

After scoring lots of goals for two seasons in a row, Goodrow didn’t do as well in the 2023-24 season. He only scored four goals that season, which is the fewest he’s scored in a full season since he started playing professionally with the San Jose Sharks in 2014-15.

Adam Fox, a defenseman, commented on the situation, saying, “It’s funny: When the puck’s not going in, people kind of feel like they’re never going to score again.” He mentioned that he’s experienced this feeling himself during dry spells.

SG highlighted that despite the desire to score, Goodrow continues to contribute in other ways to help the team win. He pointed out Goodrow’s role in the penalty kill, which has been crucial throughout the year and playoffs. Goodrow often faces off against the best opposing lines. Despite not scoring, Fox noted there’s no sign of frustration from Goodrow.

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, who played well and made 26 saves in the win, disagreed with the idea that Goodrow’s season was inconsistent. “Maybe for you he’s up and down,” he said. “But for me, he’s always on the top.”

Some of Goodrow’s goals during the 2024 postseason were really important. In one game against the Washington Capitals, he scored a shorthanded goal that ended up being the deciding goal in Game 3, helping the Rangers sweep the Capitals in the first round.

Then, in Game 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Goodrow scored an empty net goal that sealed the series win. And recently, he scored the game winning goal against the Panthers.

Goodrow was out on the ice for that moment because the Rangers needed him to win a faceoff in their defensive zone, and he succeeded.

You see him taking those faceoffs in our end all the time, Trouba mentioned. “It’s honestly a job that doesn’t get much attention. He only gets noticed if he loses them. But he wins them a lot of the time, and nobody ever talks about it.”

That’s why Goodrow’s overtime (OT) goal was so significant for the Rangers. He’s what you might call a “grunt” a player who does all the dirty work, whatever it takes to win, but often doesn’t get the spotlight or praise.

When you have a player who can do everything, a coach can rely on them, Laviolette explained. Goodrow takes faceoffs, plays any forward position, and you want him on the ice at crucial moments. He can handle top line opponents. He brings physicality, leadership, and many other qualities to our team. So when you have a player like him, you really value all he brings to the team.

Matt Rempe, a rookie for the Rangers, brought energy back to Madison Square Garden when he returned to the lineup. He described Goodrow as a “16-win” player in the playoffs.

Yeah, Goody’s that guy, Rempe exclaimed.Oh my gosh. That was unbelievable. That was an absolute snipe by him.

Game 3 will be held on Sunday afternoon in Sunrise, Florida.