3. Overtime winner vs. Coyotes
On March 23, 2014, the Rangers were facing off against the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden. It was the night that the Rangers honored Henrik Lundqvist for breaking the franchise wins and shutouts records.
They trailed 3-2 late in the game when Dan Girardi tied it. The game was headed to overtime.
In overtime, a little less than two minutes in, Brad Richards kicked the puck over to Carl Hagelin.
Hagelin fed Dan Girardi out at the point. Girardi then fired a one-timer at Mike Smith, which he kicked away. Smith kicked it away with his right pad, and the rebound came right out to McDonagh at the top of the crease. McDonagh then fired it into the open net, and raised his arms and pumped his right fist as the Rangers won the game.
The look of pure joy and excitement as McDonagh won the game for the Rangers will stay with fans forever. This goal was a sneak peek of the immeasurable impact that he would make for his team on that year’s playoff run.