The Rangers converted on their chances, the Hurricanes did not, and one of the oddest teams in the NHL this season picked up another road win on Wednesday Night as the New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in a pre-Thanksgiving matchup in Raleigh.
Igot Shesterkin made 36 stops, several of the high-danger variety as the Canes once again could not cash in on good opportunities. Frederick Andersen stopped 15 on 18 shots, a couple as a result of some rough turnovers by Carolina.
The Canes
got out to a rested start in the first with an up and down series that tested both starting goalies Frederik Andersen and Igor Shesterkin. The opening two minutes saw breakaways going on both ends, and the best way to describe it was by Cory Lavalette—“Hair on fire.” The constant back and forth eventually led to a Power Play for the Canes as Artemi Panarin tripped up Sebastian Aho. The group came up empty, as the best chance was a Jackson Blake shot at the end.
The lacking Power Play seemed to bolster the Rangers, as the ice tilted their way toward the end of the first. Sure enough with only their third shot on goal, the Rangers took the lead thanks to a mix up that left Noah Laba all alone in front of Andersen who was screened by Adam Edstrom. Laba popped the puck over Andersen’s shoulder, and New York had a 1-0 lead. Not too long after, Aho was called for a penalty and the Canes had to survive the last two minutes of the first without two of their best penalty killers in Jordan Staal and Aho, but they did the job well enough to where the best chance was actually a 2-on-2 chance shot by Seth Jarvis. The Canes went into the first intermission down 1-0, and outchanced 17-12 despite having a 13-4 lead in shots. It would be the only penalty the Canes would take on the night.
The Canes started the second period on time, and after a short push by the Rangers Carolina found themselves on another Power Play. This time they were able to convert, before PA Voice Wade Minter was able to get the full read out. A faceoff win resulted with the puck on the stick of Shayne Gostisbehere, and he ripped a shot past Shesterkin to knot the game at one. It was Gostisbehere’s third goal on the year.
The Canes would get two more Power Play opportunities in the period, and arguably should have had a short 5-on-3 as well as another one when a Ranger kicked a missing stick away from Andrei Svechnikov as the play was going toward the other end. The first unit continued to perform well, generating chances during the Power Plays but when the second unit stepped out on the ice, more time was spent on the other end. The failure to convert more—though coach Rod Brind’Amour after the game called the Power Play successful—would prove costly for Carolina.
Andersen didn’t see a lot of chances in the second but made some great stops until a minute left in the period. A face off in the zone created a set play that resulted in Artemi Panarin open in front of the net, and Gostisbehere was a hair late in getting to him. Panarin blasted a shot by Andersen and the Rangers went into the Second Intermission up 2-1. Shots were 24-13 for The Canes.
The third opened with a quick goal by former Cane Vincent Trocheck. The Hurricanes were in the midst of a change, and it looked like there was some miscommunication, allowing Trocheck to basically walk right up to Andersen and blast it right by him.
The Rangers tightened the screws for the first half of the third and the Canes were unable to generate anything. The action slogged along, until the first line was able to get a good push into the o-zone. Gostisbehere had some nifty stick work in the offensive zone, drawing Rangers to him, and he was able to whip a pass over to an open Seth Jarvis. Jarvis’ shot went roof on Shesterkin to bring the Canes back to within one with a little under ten minutes left. It would be Gostisbehere’s second point on the night.
The Canes had a few chances as the period wore on but were unable to get anything else past Shesterkin. Will Cuylle added an empty netter with about 1:40 left, and while the Canes got one more chance on the Power Play with 1:07 left, they were unable to get even.
The Hurricanes will take Thanksgiving off and be back in action on Friday at 5 PM against Seth Jarvis’ home squad the Winnipeg Jets.
