Stanley Cup Playoffs: Hurricanes overpower Rangers in Game 2

The Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the New York Rangers and now sit one win away from the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Lineup changes were paramount in discussions leading up to puck drop for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs play-in round series, especially for the New York Rangers. Despite speculation surrounding Igor Shesterkin’s status for Game 2, it was Henrik Lundqvist who got the start again for the Rangers, with Petr Mrazek manning the goal for the Carolina Hurricanes. Steven Fogarty was added to the Rangers forward group with Jesper Fast unable to suit up due to an injury.

Both teams were noticeably less physical at the onset of this one, making speed a prevalent factor. The pace was significantly better, and the Rangers looked to be settling in, unlike Game 1. But that changed once Carolina struck first, just 4:32 into this one, as Andrei Svechnikov would beat Henrik Lundqvist short-side.

Sebastian Aho and Sami Vatanen picked up the assists, as the Canes grabbed the 1-0 lead. Just over one-minute after Carolina jumped in front, Mrazek would make an incredible glove save, robbing Rangers forward Brett Howden from the doorstep with the glove.

A Haydn Fleury interference penalty followed by an Aho slashing call would give New York a chance to tie the game up on the power play. Despite going 0-for-7 on the man advantage in Game 1, the Rangers would capitalize, as a Ryan Strome feed would find the stick of Artemi Panarin, who deposited the puck past Mrazek. Tony DeAngelo would pick-up the secondary assist on the equalizing tally.

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Both goaltenders would hold the fort for the remainder of the period, with Mrazek stopping Mika Zibanejad with the glove in tight and Lundqvist would return the favor, denying Morgan Geekie from the slot after a Brendan Smith turnover.

Onto Period Two

The middle frame of a hockey game is always telling, and in Game 2 of the Carolina and Rangers series, that sentiment held true to form.

Svechnikov would score 1:11 into the second and just three seconds into the power play, beating Lundqvist after a high-sticking call on Smith. Aho and Vatanen would once again pick up the helpers on the goal.

Just 1:11 after the go-ahead goal, Jordan Martinook would put one home, giving Carolina a two-goal lead. Brock McGinn and Geekie got the assists, and just like that, the Canes had the Rangers on their heels.

New York had their fair share of chances to get on the board in the second but failed to convert. Filip Chytil had arguably the Rangers’ best scoring chance of the period, after a give and go with Howden led to a glorious chance in the slot.

On the brink of being down 2-0 in a best-of-five series, the Rangers got chippy after the period expired, looking to take some energy with them into the third.

The Final Frame

Carolina utilized the final 20-minutes as a clinic on how to defend a lead. The Canes locked up the neutral zone, frustrating the Rangers and forcing them into long passes which were continually intercepted. New York could not establish any offensive zone pressure and was simply outmatched by the wizardry of the Canes defense.

The defensive stalemate which was the third period was broken by the Hurricanes, padding their lead just past the 14:00 mark in the third. The goal scorer was none other than Svechnikov, netting the hat trick and putting Carolina up by a score of 4-1.

That was all that the Canes needed, cruising their way to their second consecutive win, taking a stranglehold on the series, two games to none.

Final Thoughts

The first period was New York’s best period of the series, but their failure to carry any momentum into the second period was glaring. Petr Mrazek outdueled Henrik Lundqvist, making several huge saves when he was called upon.

His counterpart in Lundqvist did not, allowing a weak goal to open things off in the first, forcing his squad to battle from behind again. If New York has any hope of extending this series to a fourth game, they will have to get on the board first in Game 3. Game 3 will be Tuesday night at 8 p.m. EST.