"Giving Thanks (For Beating the Rangers)": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 22: Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers

The Hurricanes and the Rangers collided for the first time since May as the Canes looked to celebrate Thanksgiving early. After Monday night's thrilling win over the Stars, the goal was to keep the Rangers' tailspin going. New York leaned on Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panarin, and their other stars to silence the Hurricanes' red-hot offense. Without Chris Kreider or Filip Chytil in the lineup for New York, the Rangers would have a tough task ahead of them. 

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (4:53)- Jack Drury (3) (Martin Necas (24) & Dmitry Orlov (11))

NYR (17:38)- Jonny Brodzinski (2) (Jimmy Vesey (1) & Ryan Lindgren (2))

2nd Period

CAR (1:13)- Seth Jarvis (6) PP (Martin Necas (25) & Sebastian Aho (17))

NYR (9:13)- Brett Berard (1) (Will Cuylle (9) & Zac Jones (6))

NYR (18:49)- Adam Edstrom (2) (Reilly Smith (9) & Adam Fox (18))

3rd Period

CAR (9:54)- Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3) (Eric Robinson (9) & Shayne Gostisbehere (12))

CAR (12:01)- Jackson Blake (7) PP (Jack Drury (5) & Jack Roslovic (2))

My Thoughts

I like beating the New York Rangers so much that it might be a little unhealthy. I revel in few franchise's misery more than I do the Rangers'. They've lost four in a row and I'm waiting for them to blow it up. Obviously, my disdain comes from a place of both respect and saltiness after being on the wrong end of two postseason series. This victory didn't come without its struggles and anxiety. The Canes were the better team almost all night. The Rangers were cerebral in taking advantage of the Canes' miscues, allowing them to stay alive longer than they should have. In the end, it doesn't matter. I'll take two points however I can get them against anyone in the league. 

Did New York's stars get on the plane to Raleigh? It certainly didn't feel like they did. I stressed the importance of the star battle ahead of tonight's game, mentioning four Rangers in particular. Chris Kreider missed the game, but Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad might as well have, too. Fox had an assist on the 3-2 goal, but Panarin and Zibanejad had one shot each and that's about it. Meanwhile, Martin Necas had two assists, taking sole possession of the league's points lead. Seth Jarvis scored a goal. Sebastian Aho had an assist. Jack Drury had a goal and an assist. Spencer Martin was sharper than Igor Shesterkin, who made the mental mistake of the night on Jesperi Kotkaniemi's tying goal in the third period. This wasn't the same Rangers team that imposed their will at times last season against the Canes.

Tonight was an excellent "full circle" game for Jackson Blake. The rookie had a subpar first period, turning the puck over to allow the Rangers to score their first goal after he failed to prevent the centering pass to Jonny Brodzinski in the slot. Instead of benching him and keeping him off the ice in big spots, Rod Brind'Amour continued to have faith in his ability to bounce back. In the third period, Blake would find the go-ahead goal, scoring on the power play to put the Canes ahead for good. It was a good learning moment for him as he continues to prove why the organization made the right decision by keeping him on the Opening Night roster.

A win over the Rangers comes with its usual fanfare online, but I saw something that put this game into perspective. A salty Rangers fan made a point to mention how Canes fans will revel in beating the Rangers during the regular season because they can't do it four times during the postseason. While it pains me to admit, I agree. This is Game #22 of an 82-game season for a team with postseason aspirations. This wasn't our Stanley Cup, even if our reaction comes across like it. It bears mentioning that the Canes have the more recent Stanley Cup victory, though the Rangers have been to finals since then. However, we can't become complacent as Canes fans and allow this to be the peak when it comes to the Rangers. Proving it in the postseason would be the ultimate prize. Until then, I will celebrate every win over the Rangers, big or small. 

When We Meet Again- With this meeting before Thanksgiving, the next battle will be before Christmas, coming on December 22nd at Madison Square Garden. It'll be the first half of a back-to-back for the Canes, who will face the Nashville Predators the following night before their Christmas Break begins.

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Jack Drury

For a man notorious for having some of the worst luck ever, Jack Drury had a great night. His goal to kickstart the scoring took pinpoint accuracy, getting help from the side of Shesterkin's mask from a tough angle. The play of the night was his pass to Jackson Blake on the power play. He made an incredible pass from almost the same spot he scored from to set up Blake for the winning marker. Drury also had a great night in the dot, winning 60 percent of his draws.

The Road Ahead- The Florida Panthers will be in town on the other side of Thanksgiving, kicking off a home-and-home with the defending champions on Friday. They'll meet again on Saturday in Sunrise to close the Canes' November slate. December will begin with a pair of home games against Western Conference opponents. Seattle will be in Raleigh next Tuesday, while the Avalanche will come through on Thursday.