Regular Season, Game 37: Hurricanes v. New York Rangers

I'm not quite sure how these two teams haven't managed to play yet, but that all changes tonight. The top two teams in the Metropolitan Division will hit the ice in the first of four meetings. The Rangers hold a two-point lead in the standings (NYR 56, CAR 54), but the Canes have four games in hand (CAR 36 GP, NYR 40). They haven't been on the ice together since they met in the bubble in Toronto during the Qualifying Round of the playoffs in August 2020. The Canes swept the Rangers in the best-of-five series quite handily, with Game 3 being a 4-1 win for the Canes and Sebastian Aho scoring THAT goal again Tony DeAngelo. Back in those days, DeAngelo, Brendan Smith, and Jesper Fast, who'd been knocked out of the series by deadline acquisition from the Rangers Brady Skjei in Game 1, were all in blue and white. Tonight, they'll be sporting the Canes' colors for the first time against their former team. The Canes dismantled Boston on Tuesday night, scoring five goals in the first period and winning 7-1 in Boston. They've been off since then and will turn to Frederik Andersen again tonight in the net. COVID has struck the Canes again with Jordan Martinook joining Martin Necas on the protocol list. This means we'll see Josh Leivo tonight. The Rangers erased a 3-1 deficit to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night and ended up winning 6-3 after a dominant third period. Defending Norris Trophy winner, and former Canes prospect, Adam Fox finished with two goals and an assist in the win, continuing his hot start to the season. Fox paces the team with 42 points (7-35-42) with Artemi Panarin not far behind with 40 points (10-30-40). Chris Kreider is tied for third in goals this season (25 with Auston Matthews) and is second in the league in power play goals (12). Both of the Rangers' special teams' units rank in the top ten (PP 10th, PK 3rd), as are the Canes'. In a move that surprised me given the matchup, the Rangers will start Alexander Georgiev in the net tonight instead of Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers' usual starter has been amazing all season but did start in their win over Toronto. Georgiev doesn't have great numbers against Carolina either, going 1-1-0 and allowing ten goals in starts. This game has a big fight feel to it. These are the premier teams in the Metro squaring off for the first time in almost 18 months. Both have immense firepower and good defenses and both are playing the first games in back-to-backs. Something and someone will have to give tonight.

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 13:13- Vincent Trocheck (9) PP (assisted by Tony DeAngelo (23) & Andrei Svechnikov (18))

(CAR) 17:21- Seth Jarvis (8) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (24) & Teuvo Teravainen (20))

Thoughts

This was a nearly flawless first period for the Canes for the third consecutive game. The power play gets the team on the board first with a beautiful deflection off the post by Vincent Trocheck, getting Tony DeAngelo a point in the process. Then, the stars got together for a goal to double the lead late in the period with Sebastian Aho setting up Seth Jarvis. The Staal line was on fire from the drop of the puck tonight and each of the four lines had their moment in the period. Everyone is getting into the play and getting their chances on Georgiev. The Rangers only had four shots in the entire period, being outshot 11-4 in the first 20 minutes. The Canes have been a new team since the Columbus loss and I really like what I'm seeing. I doubt they'll be able to hold New York to just four shots again in the second period, but I'm liking how they are playing tonight. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:33- Jesper Fast (9) (assisted by Tony DeAngelo (24) & Steven Lorentz (3))

(NYR) 6:35- Mika Zibanejad (15) PP (assisted by Artemi Panarin (31) & Chris Kreider (12))

(CAR) 14:46- Sebastian Aho (17) (unassisted)

(CAR) 19:32- Nino Niederreiter (11) (assisted by Andrei Svechnikov (19) & Ian Cole (7))

Thoughts

The Rangers came out with a new attitude in the period and they had a lot more chances in the second set of 20. Even with those chances, the Canes scored three times to the Rangers just one and they lead by four goals heading into the third period. Trocheck, Turbo, and Svechnikov all went to the bench hurt during the period, but all three are still playing. It took a Kotkaniemi double-minor for roughing for the Rangers to break through on the power play and get onto the board. This came after Jesper Fast blasted one home from the point and was followed by goals from Aho and Niederreiter. Andersen made a huge save on Artemi Panarin shortly after the Zibanejad goal to keep it a one-goal game and prevent the momentum from swinging to the Rangers for good. There's still plenty of time for the Rangers to get back into this game, but not if the Canes play like they have for the last 40 minutes. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(NYR) 5:09- Chris Kreider (26) PP (assisted by Adam Fox (36) & Mika Zibanejad (24))

(NYR) 6:23- Greg McKegg (1) (assisted by Ryan Reaves (7) & Ke'Andre Miller (6))

(CAR) 17:27- Tony DeAngelo (7) PP (assisted by Sebastian Aho (25) & Vincent Trocheck (17))

Thoughts

It got really hairy there for a minute, but the Canes weathered the storm they were able to get the job done. The Rangers got two quick goals at the beginning of the period to make it a two-goal game and I started to feel like a Leafs fan there for a little bit. The defense shut the door late and got a huge power play goal from Tony DeAngelo to officially put the nail in the coffin. The Rangers did exactly what I expected they would and they kept themselves in the game by capitalizing on the mistakes the Canes made. Regardless, the Canes got the job done without Teuvo Teravainen for the period. It was a gutsy effort in the final stanza and it ended with two points. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Vincent Trocheck (Goal, Assist)

He went down briefly in the second period after blocking a shot, but he was great when he was on the ice. The tip out front of Georgiev on the power play got the Canes going tonight and then he helped set up the dagger on the power play late in the third period. It was good to see him come back after taking the puck off his knee and help the team get two big points. 

Second Star- Sebastian Aho (Goal, 2 Assists in 400th Game)

In a game with some huge firepower on the other side, Aho proved once again why he's one of the best in the game. His effort on his goal in the second period, which was the game-winner, was unbelievable as he knocked it in from his back. He also recorded primary assists on Jarvis' goal and DeAngelo's power play goal. He was lethal all night. 

First Star- Tony DeAngelo (Goal, 2 Assists in First Game against New York)

If DeAngelo hadn't been doing this all season, I'd have said this was the thing scripts are made of. The thing is, we've seen this from DeAngelo all season. He records his second straight three-point performance with a huge power play goal and two assists against his former team. The passion he was playing with came through after he scored late and it's something we've grown to appreciate from the first-year Hurricane. 

Final Thoughts

The Canes are back at the top of the division as they tie New York with 56 points and still keep four games in hand. The effort in the first two periods was great and they did just enough to hold on and win by three goals with their performance in the third period. It was a good night for former Rangers tonight. DeAngelo recorded another three-point game, Jesper Fast scored a goal, and though they didn't record points, I thought Brendan Smith and Derek Stepan played well too. Andrei Svechnikov recorded two more assists to reach 100 for his career. Aho recorded his 200th assist in his 400th game as well. The hope is that Teuvo Teravainen won't be out for too long since he was able to come back and play a little bit in the second period before missing the entire third period. Even if he doesn't play tomorrow night against New Jersey, I have faith in the depth of the team to fill his spot. With that being said, the Canes are off to New Jersey with a tilt with Dougie Hamilton tomorrow night. Back-to-backs with travel are not fun, so I'm curious to see which team we'll see. Odds are we will see either Raanta or LaFontaine in the net, so it's going to be even more critical for the offense to keep their momentum going. The Canes have scored 13 goals in their last two games against quality teams. Tomorrow has the makings of a letdown game, but this team is built for these situations. A fun win tonight, but the job is just beginning.