Rangers drop 3-2 decision in Game 5 Rangers have their backs to the wall going into Game 6

In New York, the Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the middle frame on a shorthanded goal by Chris Kreider at 2:04.

It provided a lift to New York but it was short-lived.

The Panthers tied the game, 1-1, on a goal by Gustav Forsling  8:21, scoring off a backhand.

The score stayed that way into the third period where the Panthers added a pair of lead to take a 3-1 lead, en route to a 3-2 win, and a 3-2 series lead over the Rangers.

“It was a good battle by us,” the Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov said. “We showed up and played really well and happy for the win. Now we just got to recover and think about the next one.”

Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves in the win.

“Guys do their job,” Bobrovsky said. “They just work hard. They have a tendency … they play loose and they just work hard. [The Rangers have] got a really good power play. They got really good weapons, there are guys.”

Game 6 is set for Sunrise on Saturday.

“Tight game, pretty much a one-goal game difference throughout,” the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba said. “We had some good looks and some rebounds. We got to find a way to get a couple more past [Bobrovsky].”

Midway through the third period, Anton Lundell hit for what would be the game winner, and a 2-1 advantage.

“That was huge,” Lundell said. “We had some good chances in the third and we were playing pretty good. … I felt like we just had chance after chance and we just kept grinding and trusted that we’re going to get the chance and the goal, and we got it. We really just tried to stay on top of them and keep the lead.”Sam Bennett hit an unassisted empty-net goal at 18:09 for the 3-1 lead.

“Our approach is one game at a time,” Bennett said. “We’ve got business to take care of still and all we’re thinking about is Game 6 at home. Our entire focus is on that game right now.”

Alexis Lafreniere scored with the extra attacker at 19:10 to make the 3-2 final.

Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves in the loss.

“A lot of confidence,” the Rangers’ Adam Fox said. “Backs against the wall here. We are a pretty resilient group. I think we have responded well all year to situations where we want to get a win. Obviously, season on the line going there. … Just need to get the win there.”