The Carolina Hurricanes extended their season once again last night, earning a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5.
The game got off to a hot start, with some good chances at both ends throughout the opening frame. Jake Guentzel had a great opportunity on a breakaway but was denied, and the Hurricanes arguably had more really high-danger chances. Just as they were really building momentum though with a series of odd-man rushes, Evgeny Kuznetsov took a needless penalty, and Carolina spent the last couple minutes of the period killing a penalty, leaving the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
The teams then kicked off the second period with more special teams action, where Carolina had to kill off a Dmitry Orlov penalty penalty, but with a second successful kill, they ended up with a power play of their own soon afterwards. However, early into the man advantage, the Hurricanes turned the puck over for a 2-on-1 the other way, and Jacob Trouba went down ice to beat Frederik Andersen with a well-placed shot, putting the Rangers ahead with their second shorthanded goal of the series.
The Hurricanes then ended up with another power play a little later as well, but still couldn’t convert. A good chunk of the action near the end of the frame was spent in New York’s end, but Carolina still couldn’t tie it, and entered the second intermission trailing with a period to save their season.
Carolina had another opportunity early in the third period, starting the frame with their 20th power play of the series, but obviously, still couldn’t capitalize. However, only a few minutes later, Jordan Staal took a pass from Dmitry Orlov, and on a great solo effort, he managed to get past Braden Schneider and drive to the net, before tucking the puck past Shesterkin to tie the game for Carolina.
Then only three minutes after that, Brady Skjei put a slapshot to the net that Shesterkin couldn’t handle, and Evgeny Kuznetsov went to the net to bury the rebound, giving Carolina their first lead. The Hurricanes weren’t done there either, and only minutes later, the Hurricanes caused issues on the forecheck to force a turnover from Jacob Trouba, and Jordan Martinook beat Shesterkin, putting Carolina up 3-1 with roughly half a period remaining.
Andrei Svechnikov took a penalty for soaring the puck out of play shortly afterwards, but Carolina managed to kill it off. Then with the Rangers pulling the goalie for an extra attacker late, Martin Necas sent the puck down ice into the open net, securing a 4-1 win for the Hurricanes to keep their season alive once again.
The Game 4 win was just extending the series, but now with a second victory (coming on the road as well), the Hurricanes are back in this.
Carolina's even strength play has been very good all series long, so it’s not shocking they were able to pull out a win: take out power play goals, shorthanded goals, and empty net goals, and the Hurricanes have outscored New York 14-9 at 5-on-5.
While Aho and Guentzel have led the way for the Hurricanes though, this win came on the back of secondary offense. With three goals in under seven minutes, they got their scoring from Jordan Staal, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jordan Martinook.
Of course, the power play was still a concern last night, giving up another shorthanded goal and standing at 1-for-20 in the second round. So far, the Hurricanes are at a net minus on the power play against the Rangers, with a single power play goal scored, and two shorthanded goals given up.
Despite the special teams struggles though, Game 5 was another solid effort, limiting New York to just 21 shots. Andersen had to be good, but the Hurricanes really came alive in the third period with their season on the line.
There’s still a ways to go, and the margin for error remains nonexistent, but the Hurricanes are back in the series.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM THE SERIES
- Previewing Round 2: Hurricanes vs. Rangers
- Special teams battle makes the difference in Canes' Game 1 loss to Rangers
- Hurricanes suffer 2OT loss to Rangers in Game 2, fall behind 2-0 in series
- Canes on brink of elimination after devastating Game 3 OT loss to Rangers
- Hurricanes stay alive with narrow Game 4 win over Rangers
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