Countdown: 10 most memorable Rangers goals

10. DON MALONEY'S DISPUTED GOAL
Stanley Cup first round, Game 5, Nassau Coliseum, April 10, 1984
Was it really a high stick with which he tied the final game against the four-time defending champion with 39 seconds left? When he was Islanders general manager years later, Maloney diplomatically took the side of whatever fan he happened to be talking to.

9. MARIAN GABORIK'S TRIPLE-OT GOAL
Stanley Cup conference semifinal, Game 3, Washington, May 2, 2012
It came at 14:41 of the third extra period, ending the longest victory in team history.

8. MARTIN ST. LOUIS' MOTHER'S DAY SHOT
Stanley Cup division final Game 6, Madison Square Garden, May 11, 2014
With his team and a roaring crowd supporting him, the grieving player whose mother died only three days earlier, scored the momentum-driving first goal in a win over the Penguins that continued an amazing comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.

7. ANDERS HEDBERG STUNS ISLES
Stanley Cup semifinal Game 5, Nassau Coliseum, May 5, 1979
With 2:13 left in a back-and-forth game, Hedberg put the puck over Billy Smith and lifted the Rangers to a 3-2 series lead that seemed to break the spirit of the team that had the most points in the regular season.

6. FRANK BOUCHER WINS IT
Stanley Cup Final Game 4, Montreal, April 14, 1928
Boucher, who would coach the 1940 Cup team, actually had a big assist — verbally. He was the one who suggested that 44-year-old coach Lester Patrick go in net after goalie Lorne Chabot was hit in the eye in Game 2. Patrick stood out and Boucher scored the winner that night and in Game 4 for the second-year franchise.

5. PETE STEMKOWSKI'S TRIPLE-OT TALLY
Stanley Cup semifinal, Game 6, Madison Square Garden, April 29, 1971
The Rangers didn’t even win this series against the Blackhawks, but when fans talk about memorable goals, this always is near the top of the conversation. Stemkowski slammed home a rebound of Ted Irvine’s shot at 1:29 of the third overtime. It was a revival statement for a franchise that, before its first-round win over the Maple Leafs, had not won a playoff series since 1950.

4. BILL COOK'S CUP WINNER
Stanley Cup Final Game 4, Toronto, April 13, 1933
As usual, the Rangers played most of the series (best-of-five back then) on the road because the circus was at the Garden. Cook, the team’s top scorer (28 goals in the regular season), took a pass from Butch Keeling during a power play at 7:33 of overtime for a 1-0 win.

3. MARK MESSIER'S CLINCHER
Stanley Cup Final Game 7, Madison Square Garden, June 14, 1994
Perhaps the greatest Ranger of them all, the captain had numerous memorable goals during the run that finally ended the drought. Among those were the three he scored in Game 6 against the Devils, fulfilling his guarantee for a win. But this one, to quote broadcaster Sam Rosen, “Will last a lifetime.” It occurred at 13:29 of the second period, building a 3-1 lead over the Canucks and assuring that the Cup would not slip away again.

2. BRYAN HEXTALL’S OVERTIME CUP WINNER
Stanley Cup Final Game 6, Toronto, April 13, 1940
Years later, Hextall said he just happened to be near the net. But that’s where he was supposed to be, right where Phil Watson could reach him with a pass. Hextall whipped the puck past Turk Broda of the Maple Leafs at 2:07 of overtime, clinching the Cup. Hextall’s widow said during the 1980s, “That goal was the highlight of his life.”

1. ‘MATTEAU! MATTEAU! MATTEAU!'
Stephane Matteau vs. Devils, conference final Game 7, Madison Square Garden, May 27, 1994
Thanks to the iconic radio call of Howie Rose, the Rangers had their Bobby Thomson moment. Like the home run that completed the Miracle at Coogan’s Bluff, this overtime goal was local, sudden and climactic. Unlike the New York Giants’ win over the Brooklyn Dodgers, this led to a championship. It sure never will be forgotten. 20 years later, Matteau said, “It’s been 20 years and I’ve been retired for 10 years. [Fans] keep going at it. It seems like it’s building over and over. I’m very privileged to be part of it. It’s overwhelming at times and I will never get tired of it.”