Hurricanes fall to Rangers to start second round, 4-3

By WRAL

Carolina Hurricanes	3
New York Rangers	4
Final

The New York Rangers held serve in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, dominating the power play and holding off a third-period rally to win 4-3. The Rangers lead the second round series 1-0 with Game 2 on Tuesday in New York.

The first period lived up to the hype and the anticipation with the two teams trading goals in the first four minutes. Mika Zibanejad found the back of the net in less than three minutes to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead, but the Hurricanes answered, with Jaccob Slavin getting his first goal of the postseason, assists coming courtesy of Sebastian Aho and Jake Guentzel.

Nearly halfway through the first period, Tony DeAngelo was called for roughing and sent to the penalty box for two minutes. The Rangers capitalized on the power play just ten seconds later, with Zibanejad picking up his second goal of the game, giving New York a 2-1 lead.

The Canes had the top penalty kill in the regular season, but the Rangers dominated the power play in the first period. After an Evgeny Kuznetsov cross-checking penalty, Vincent Trochek scored to make it a 3-1 lead for New York. That's his second point of Game 1. On top of that, Zibanejad helped him get there, his first assist of the game and his third point of the first period.

The Rangers finished the first period up 3-1. New York scored two goals in just 23 seconds of the power play.

The second period saw the chaos of the first period and decided to slow things down. No goals, and only two penalties after four goals and six penalties in the first. Rangers still lead 3-1 after fourty minutes. The Hurricanes had two power plays in the second period, but failed to find the back of the net on either one. The Canes are now 0/4 in four power play in Game 1, off from its 26.9 power play percentage in the regular season. In terms of shots, Rangers lead the Canes 18-12.

One thing to keep in mind as the Canes and rangers head into the third period, the Hurricanes dominated the final 20 minutes against the Islanders, finishing with a +9 goal differential in the first round series. Martin Necas kept that trend going, adding a goal just a few minutes into the third with assists from Jordan Martinook and Dmitry Orlov. It's Necas' second goal this postseason.

The Rangers proved they don't need to be a man up to score, Artemi Panarin squeezed one by goaltender Frederick Andersen, his third goal of the postseason. The insurance goal would not be the final score, after going empty net, Seth Jarvis scored with assists from Sebastian Aho and Brent Burns, making it a one-score game with 1:57 remaining, but it wouldn't be enough. Carolina falls to the Rangers to start the series 4-2. Game 2 will be played in New York on Tuesday, the start time is still to be determined.

Pregame

The Carolina Hurricanes are seeking a second straight trip to the Eastern Conference finals. The New York Rangers are seeking to extend one of the best seasons in franchise history.

Game 1 is Sunday at 4 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The NHL released the schedule for the entire series late Saturday.

Game 2: Hurricanes at Rangers, Tuesday, May 7, TBD (ESPN, 99.9 The Fan))

Game 3: Rangers at Hurricanes, Thursday, May 9, TBD (TNT, 99.9 The Fan)

Game 4: Rangers at Hurricanes, Saturday, May 11, TBD (TNT, 99.9 The Fan)

Game 5*: Hurricanes at Rangers, Monday, May 13

Game 6*: Rangers at Hurricanes, May 16

Game 7*: Hurricanes at Rangers, May 18

Carolina defenseman Tony DeAngelo (wrist) is expected to play in Game 1. Defenseman Brett Pesce, who was injured in the second game of the Hurricanes' first-round series, did not make the trip for the first two games, but could play at some point in this series.

The Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders in five games in the first round. Carolina has advanced at least one round in the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, including the qualifying round in 2020.

The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2023 before being swept by the Florida Panthers.

The Rangers, who swept the Washington Capitals in the first round, won a franchise-high 55 games in the 2023-24 regular season, including a 2-1 record against Carolina. The Rangers are coached by former Hurricanes' coach Peter Laviolette, who guided Carolina to the 2006 Stanley Cup with current Hurricanes' coach Rod Brind'Amour as the team's captain.

The Hurricanes and the Rangers have met twice in the postseason: in the Stanley Cup qualifying round during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic season and the 2021-22 second round. The Canes defeated the Rangers 3-0 in 2020 and lost to the Rangers in seven games in the 2021-22 second round.

These teams are evenly matched up and down the stat sheet

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers, 2023-23 regular season stats

Regulation wins

• Rangers 43
• Canes 43

Goals-for avg

• Rangers 3.39
• Canes 3.38

Goals against per game

• Rangers 2.76
• Canes 2.57

Shots per game

• Rangers 31.5
• Canes 33.3

Power play goals

• Rangers 65
• Canes 67