Remember When: Martin St Louis OT Winner Versus Montreal

In the dynamic realm of hockey, the sport offers a plethora of highlights that linger in our memories. The New York Rangers, a team with a rich history, have contributed numerous moments that resonate with many fans. In this feature titled “Remember When,” we delve into some of these moments—some noteworthy, others less so.

In this particular installment of “Remember When,” we revisit the night of May 25th, 2014, when the Martin St. Louis OT winner brought the Rangers to the closest point to fight for a title, a point that they hadn’t been at in quite some time.

In a thrilling overtime finish on that Sunday, Martin St. Louis etched then another memorable moment in his storied playoff career, propelling the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens and giving them a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.

Following St. Louis’s game-winning goal, the Rangers erupted from the bench, engulfing him in a jubilant celebration, marking the culmination of a hard-fought battle.

The decisive play originated with Carl Hagelin’s relentless pressure on the Canadiens, as he seized possession of the puck and spotted St. Louis unmarked on the right wing. Hagelin’s precise pass found its mark, setting the stage for St. Louis’s heroics.

Exhibiting composure and precision, St. Louis meticulously picked his spot, unleashing a pinpoint shot up high past Canadiens goaltender Dustin Tokarski to secure the victory.

Carl Hagelin had already made his mark earlier in the game, opening the scoring with a short-handed goal in the first period, the Rangers’ first in 70 playoff games at the time. His lightning speed and deft finish epitomized his impact on the ice, drawing parity with St. Louis for the team’s playoff goal-scoring lead.

Despite the Rangers’ efforts to maintain their lead, the Canadiens clawed back into the game, courtesy of Francis Bouillon’s equalizer in the second period. Derick Brassard momentarily restored the Rangers’ advantage late in the period, capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity orchestrated by Dan Girardi’s long-range pass.

However, the Canadiens tied the score early in the third period through P.K. Subban’s power-play goal. Subban, previously a focal point for the Canadiens’ offense, delivered a timely contribution after a prolonged scoring drought in the series.

The game was not without casualties for the Rangers, as J.T. Miller exited prematurely following a collision with the goalpost, further depleting their roster already marred by injuries and suspensions. Absences, including those of Derek Stepan and Dan Carcillo, fueled tensions between the two sides, resulting in a flurry of power-play opportunities for the Canadiens.