The Rangers pulled out a gut-check 2-1 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday. Down Adam Fox and Filip Chytil to injury, New York locked down defensively and received a Will Cuylle third-period goal to pull out the victory. Artemi Panarin improved his point streak to 10 games with his sublime backhand dish across the crease to Chris Kreider for the tap in goal. The Blueshirts blocked 21 shots while Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves to earn the victory. New York faces the Wild in Minnesota on Saturday.
1) Adam Fox injured: Three words every Rangers' fan dreads. Sebastian Aho, who has a history of sticking out his leg, looked to have stuck out his leg and made contact with Fox's lower leg. After the game, coach Peter Laviolette said that Fox will be evaluated Friday. The best case scenario is a bruise and Fox maybe missed a game or two. Worst case, well let's not go there. I expect Zac Jones to be in the lineup for Fox on Saturday against Minnesota.
2) Filip Chytil was sidelined as well. Chytil and Jesper Fast ran into each other. The play looked innocuous enough but Chytil didn't play the last two periods of the game. Given Chytil's injury, and especially concussion history, you hope that's not the case. The type of contact sure looked like it could be a whiplash type injury but that's pure speculation. Lavolette said post-game that Chytil will also be evaluated tomorrow. I would not be shocked if Tyler Pitlick gets in the lineup Saturday for Chyil.
Filip Chytil has left the game. Filip Chytil and Jesper Fast collided in the 1st period, and Chytil was seen in pain on the bench. #NYRpic.twitter.com/JMof0h3Lba
3) Chemistry/Resiliency - we have remarked a few times how this team steps up for one another. This was the case tonight. Angered by Aho's hit on Fox, several Rangers expressed their satisfaction. Leading the way was Alexis Lafreniere, who was more physical than we have seen in a while. Laf tried to fight Aho and didn't back down when Andrei Svechnikov attempted to step in. New York dished out hits throughout the contest, taking no quarter for Carolina.
4) Super Trouba - with Fox out, Trouba stepped up, playing nearly 25 minutes. He blocked three shots, dished out a pair of hits and made the play for the game-winning goal. Trouba was able to keep the puck in at the line, preventing a breakaway, came down the board with the puck, showed great patience in the corner and found Cuylle for the game-winner. The Captain was the Captain.
5) Defensive effort and fourth line - Laviolette shuffled the lines with Chytil out. But late in the game he had Goodrow-Bonino-Vesey on the ice to protect a one-goal lead. That trip ate up 40 seconds in the offensive zone, helping New York pick up the win. That trio has had their struggles, but in this case, they did their job and then some.
Defensively, New York was good but not great. Carolina still had several quality chances, but Igor was up to the task. He stoned Jesperi Kotkaniemi in front in the first period, forcing Kotkaniemi to look to the sky. In the third, Shesterkin got a piece of Martin Necas shot with his glove, preserving the lead.
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