Stanley Cup Playoffs: Carolina Hurricanes outlast Rangers in Game 1

The Carolina Hurricanes scored 1:01 into Game One, and never looked back beating the Rangers 3-2 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The hockey world’s eyes were trained on the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes as they squared off in the first Qualifying Round matchup of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There was breaking news before puck drop, as rookie netminder Igor Shesterkin was deemed unfit to play, thrusting veteran Henrik Lundqvist into the net.

People were wondering if the players would be able to replicate the same energy level without fans, and it was clear early that the answer was yes.

Defenseman Brady Skjei set the tone early, leveling former teammate Jesper Fast, and executing his revenge against the team that dealt him at the deadline to Carolina.

Fast left the game and did not return. The Canes capitalized on that momentum, netting the first goal just 1:01 in, on a cross-ice pass and finish by Jaccob Slavin. The physical play continued throughout the first, erupting in the most unusual of fights between Ryan Strome and Justin Williams.

Carolina would carry much of the play throughout the first period, leading 1-0 and outshooting New York 12-4 despite the shots being even at one halfway through the first 20 minutes.  It was evident early on that the Canes were the faster and sharper team, forcing the younger Rangers squad into turnovers in their defensive zone.

After a penalty laden first frame which saw 7 minor penalties taken in addition to the fighting majors assessed to the aforementioned Strome and Williams, the Rangers opened up the second frame with a failed conversion on a power play.

The parade to the penalty box would continue in the second, with Carolina finally connecting on their odd-man chance, as Sebastian Aho would redirect a brilliant feed Andrei Svechnikov past Lundqvist.

With all looking bleak, Mika Zibanejad, the man who lead the NHL in goals per game with 0.71 during the regular season, tipped one past Petr Mrazek to bring New York within one. The tip was set up by a beautiful shot-pass from Ryan Lindgren, gathering his first postseason point.

After being badly outplayed during the first 20-minutes, the Blueshirts outbattled the Hurricanes in the second, outshooting them 15-11.

As the final 20-minutes started, it was evident that both teams had found their legs and compete-level. The Rangers had glimpses of offensive potential, while Carolina played sturdy defensively and generated chances off of their forecheck.

Just over halfway through the first, Martin Necas would uncork a slap shot that would deflect off of Marc Staal’s skate and in, extending the Canes lead to 3-1. To Carolina’s credit, they kept pushing, pinning the Rangers in their own end for the better half of the third period.

A Tony DeAngelo penalty with just over three minutes to go in the third would appear to put a bow on things for the Hurricanes, but Staal, who was the victim of a brutal bounce earlier in the period, cut the deficit in half. The shorthanded goal was assisted by Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad at 18:05 of the third.

Despite a late thrust, New York could not score the eventual equalizer, handing Carolina the first win of the 2020 postseason. Rangers starter Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves on 37 shots, keeping New York in the game with his stellar play throughout. His counterpart, Petr Mrazek, was just as solid making saves when he had to, stopping 24 of the 26 attempts thrown his way.

The Hurricanes were the stronger team on both sides of the puck during game one, capitalizing on the sloppy play of the Rangers early on. If the physicality and energy level stays true to form, this series will continue to provide excitement moving forward. Game 2 will be Monday, August 3rd, at 12 P.M. Eastern.