Three-pointer: Rangers vs. Hurricanes, Game 2

READ ALSO : A feeling of deja vu at the Rangers

The Hurricanes have won their first five home games in the playoffs, including a 2-1 overtime win over the Rangers on Wednesday, as they trailed 1-0 until the goal of Sebastian Aho with 2:23 left in the third period. Ian Cole settled the dispute after 3:12 of additional time.

« It’s a good thing that we won this game, but we know that we didn’t play well enough in the first two periods, » said the forward. Andrei Svechnikov. In the third period, we played like the ‘Canes’ know how to play. We have to do the same in [le match no 2]. »

The Rangers have been one of the most resilient teams all year with 27 wins after trailing in the regular season and three in a row against the Penguins in Games 5, 6 and 7 in the first round for eventually overturn a 3-1 deficit in the series and advance to the next round.

Despite the loss on Wednesday, they were happy with the way they played and coach Gerard Gallant is confident the Rangers can come out on top in Game 2 if they deliver the same kind of performance.

« Hopefully we can play like we did in the first two periods, but three periods tonight, » Gallant said. It would be perfect for our team. »

Historically, teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 series win the series 86.7 percent of the time (339-52).

Here are three things to watch for in Game 2:

1. A better start for Carolina

Rangers controlled the first two periods in Game 1, but the Hurricanes trailed only 1-0 due in part to Antti Raanta’s brilliance.

“’Raants’ kept us in the game, mentioned the striker Vincent Trocheck. If it hadn’t been for him, the score would have been 4-0 after two periods. »

Video: NYR@CAR, #1: Raanta steals Chytil with the skate

The Hurricanes found their way back in the third period, when they finally put Rangers on the heels. However, they cannot yet play with fire.

They need to establish a sustained forecheck early in the period and try to impose themselves more in the neutral zone, otherwise the task could be difficult, especially if Raanta does not perform as many miracles.

« The good news is that we came away with the victory and some of our players probably could have played better, » coach Rod Brind’Amour said. I see it positively. »

2. Panarin must become Panarin again

Artemi Panarin wasn’t a factor offensively in Game 1, as he was shut out and only fired two shots on goal in 18:01. In addition, the Rangers striker had a front row seat on Aho’s goal and a slightly faster reaction on his part could possibly have prevented the equalizer.

New York needs its dynamic playmaker in Game 2, but Panarin said part of the plan for him in Game 1 was to limit risk because the Rangers were clinging to a 1 lead. -0 and that they were playing « rather conservatively » – to use his words.

« It’s not great, but sometimes you have to play like that, » Panarin said. It depends on the situation in the game. If you’re falling behind, you have to start playing normally. I would love to make stupid plays at the blue line, but I can’t. »

Panarin said he doesn’t mind taking less risk if Rangers play like they did in Game 1. But tonight it’s going to be important that he gets the puck on his stick more often, no matter what risks he takes.

« I always feel better when I have the puck more often, » Panarin said. But I’m 30 years old, so I’m more patient now. »

3. Discipline for the Hurricanes

Overlapping penalties meant that each team had just 27 seconds of power play in Game 1.

It’s perfect for the Hurricanes, who don’t want to allow the Rangers power play to kick in. He is posting a 30.0 percent performance in the playoffs after finishing fourth in the NHL in the regular season (25.2 percent).

“Personally, I would prefer it to stay like this,” said the Hurricanes defender Brett Pesce. I like our 5-on-5 chances. Hopefully we can continue to stay away from the penalty box. »

Planned formation of Rangers
Chris Kreider — Mika Zibanejad — Frank Vatrano
Artemi Panarin — Ryan Strome — Andrew Copp
Alexis Lafreniere — Filip Chytil — Kaapo Kakko
Tyler Motte — Kevin Rooney — Ryan Reaves

Ryan Lindgren — adam fox
K’Andre Miller — Jacob Trouba
justin brown — Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin
Alexander Georgiev

Cut off: Patrick Nemeth, Libor Hajek, Greg McKegg, Julien Gauthier, Jonny Brodzinski, Dryden Hunt
Wounded: Barclay Goodrow (lower body), Samuel Blais (knee)

Planned formation of the Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis –Sebastian Aho– Teuvo Teravainen
Andrei Svechnikov — Vincent Trocheck — Martin Necas
Nino Niederreiter — Jordan Staal — Jesper Fast
Max Domi — Jesperi Kotkaniemi — Steven Lorentz

Jacob Slavin — Tony DeAngelo
Brady Skjei –Brett Pesce
Brendan Smith –Ian Cole

Antti Raanta
Pyotr Kochetkov

Cut off: Ethan Bear, Derek Stepan
Wounded: Frederik Andersen (lower body), Jordan Martinook (lower body)

In the notebook

The Hurricanes will use the same roster that finished Game 1. … Martinook participated in morning practice but will miss a sixth straight game.