As the third period neared, the Rangers remained in control. Before the third period ended, fans began filing out of Madison Square for perhaps the final time of this magical season.

With numerous chances to move to the cusp of the Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers surrendered another lead and another game-winning goal to Ondrej Palat in the final minutes, giving the Lightning a 3-1 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals and putting the Rangers one loss from elimination.

It was the Rangers’ third straight loss in the series and their first home playoff loss in nine games.

Igor Shesterkin carried the team early — also benefitting from a few friendly post bounces — allowing Ryan Lindgren to put the Rangers in front with a shot over Andrei Vasilevskiy’s shoulder midway through the second period. The Rangers appeared set to carry the 1-0 lead to the third period before defenseman Mikhail Sergachev wristed a shot from inside the blue line that weaved through traffic and to the back of the net for his first goal in 40 playoff games.