NEW YORK –The series between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes is now a three-game affair, as the Rangers brought it back to square one with a convincing 4-1 win at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
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Frank Fire, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad et Andrew Copp were the scorers for the New Yorkers, who received a strong 30-save performance from Igor Shesterkin. Copp also amassed two assists, like the defender Ryan Lindgren.
Teuvo Teravainen was the Hurricanes’ only scorer. Antti Raanta blocked 24 shots in front of their goal.
“It was one of our great efforts of the season,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. We had a few lows in the second and third periods, but we did a good job. »
Neither team was able to win on the other’s rink ahead of Game 5 at Carolina on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, ESPN, SNO, SNE, SNP).
“I have no idea,” Gallant smirked when asked if he had an explanation.
“Go ask them,” he added, alluding to the fact that the Hurricanes have lost all five road games in the playoffs so far.
It was the Rangers’ fifth straight playoff home win, tying a franchise record set in 1940 and repeated on four other occasions.
Trouba is still rampant
Rangers took the initiative early, giving themselves a two-goal cushion in the first period.
Shesterkin set the tone for a frenzied start by making an acrobatic save against the defender Brett Pescewho fired at close range.
Alexis Lafreniere was subsequently frustrated by Raanta on a breakaway. The Quebecer tried to slip the puck between his backhand pads.
Rangers created several chances during the first superiority of the evening.
In the 12th minute, the robust defender Jacob Trouba hit Max Domi along the board in the center of the rink. Steven Lorentz defended his teammate, who avoided the worst, but he received an instigator penalty for initiating the fight with Trouba.
Vatrano took the opportunity to open the scoring at 13:31. On the right side, he drew on reception of Copp’s pass.
“It was a big check from Trouba, hard and legal,” commented coach Gallant. The Hurricanes took a penalty and we scored on the lead. It was an important moment for us. »
His Hurricanes counterpart Rod Brind’Amour said he would have preferred Lorentz to show some restraint.
“We should have avoided being punished. I didn’t think he was going to drop the gloves. He had never fought before, he pointed out. He came to the defense of a teammate, which is good, but we shouldn’t have taken a penalty. »
The “Blueshirts” doubled their lead just after, at 15:42. Positioned near the enclave, defender Fox deflected the shot from his counterpart Lindgren.
“The first period was maybe the best I’ve seen from either team this season,” Gallant said. It went from one side to the other without stopping. We could have led 4-2 at the end. Both goalkeepers were fantastic. »
Video: Copp helps Rangers tie the streak
The Hurricanes showed more bite in the second period. Shesterkin deprived them of a goal again, early, by stretching the right leg on Teravainen’s short-range attempt.
Martin Necas later hit the post on superiority. Just before, Zibanejad had seen Raanta make a good save at his expense, in inferiority.
Zibanejad recovered at 16:48, pushing into the gaping opening the puck that the goalkeeper had not controlled following Lindgren’s shot.
Ahead by three goals, the Rangers were well in the saddle. After missing a superiority opportunity, the Hurricanes tried to start a comeback. Teravainen hit the mark on the pass of Sebastian Aho |at 6:33.
It was for Aho a 44th point in the playoffs, which allowed him to rise to the first rank of scorers in the history of the concession (Hurricanes / Hartford Whalers).
Copp restored a three-goal priority to his team at 11:10. He completed the strategy of Ryan Strome on the right flank.
Lafrenière subsequently had trouble with Andrei Svechnikovwho was punished.
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