Artemi Panarin's OT power-play goal sends New York Rangers into second round

Artemi Panarin's power-play goal at 4:46 of overtime gave the New York Rangers a 4-3 win in Game 7, eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night.

The Rangers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, the first time New York has advanced past the first round since 2017.

The Penguins were seeking a second-round appearance for the first time since 2018. The loss could mark the end of their veteran core's time together, as center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang are free agents this summer.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves. Forward Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists. The Rangers' power play, which ranked fourth-best in the NHL and powered the team during the regular season, was the difference-maker in overtime.

Penguins forward Brock McGinn took a holding penalty on K'Andre Miller just 2:55 into overtime. After pressuring the Penguins, Panarin's shot from the right side beat Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry for the overtime winner.

The Penguins saw their lineup replenished for Game 7. Captain Sidney Crosby, who left with an upper-body injury during Game 5 and didn't play in Game 6 — both Rangers' victories — returned to the ice. So did forward Rickard Rakell, who had been missing since suffering an injury in Game 1. The most dramatic return was that of regular-season starting goalie Tristan Jarry, who hadn't played since April 14 after breaking his foot.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead 7:36 into the first period. After Shesterkin made a couple of saves on point-blank chances, a Danton Heinen turnover led to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider sprinting out on a 2-on-1. Zibanejad sent a pass across the zone and Kreider blasted the puck past Jarry's glove from the right faceoff circle.

The Penguins