"Broadway Bullies": 2024-25 Regular Season, Game 51: Hurricanes at New York Rangers

The Canes have a major test ahead of them as they visit Madison Square Garden for the final time during the regular season. They were victorious in both meetings with the Rangers early in the year, but this team is starting to find their groove. With the new guys getting practice under their belts before Tuesday's bout, they should be acclimated to the Canes' system after a solid showing on Saturday without any prior practice. It's a big night in the Metro when these two teams collide, so you can bet there will be fireworks and fun times had by all.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (0:56)- Andrei Svechnikov (16) (Taylor Hall (16) & Jesperi Kotkaniemi (15))

2nd Period

CAR (19:29)- Andrei Svechnikov (17) (Mikko Rantanen (40) & Jackson Blake (6))

3rd Period

CAR (1:04)- Sebastian Aho (17) (Andrei Svechnikov (20))

CAR (2:30)- Seth Jarvis (19) (Jordan Martinook (16))

My Thoughts

For my money, this might've been the best the Hurricanes have ever looked in two games at Madison Square Garden. I know they won both road games against the Rangers in 2021-22, but this was way different. Tonight marks the fourth time since relocation that the Canes went 2-0-0 in New York, and this season was a pair of incredible wins for the road team. They allowed just one goal to the Rangers on their ice this season. This is high on the list of the best defensive efforts of the season, too. It was complete buy-in from all 19 guys on the ice. 

The win before Christmas was all about Pyotr Kochetkov outdueling Igor Shesterkin. Tonight, it was Frederik Andersen's turn. Through 39:29 seconds, Andersen and Shesterkin were the only reasons the game hadn't gotten out of hand. The action felt very fluid at times, with both teams carrying the puck up and down the ice at will. Shesterkin's best sequence came at the beginning of the second period, while Andersen did his best work during the second half. His toe save on Chris Kreider stalled any momentum that New York hoped to gain from their power play in a 1-0 game. The defense played no small part in the third period as they cruised to victory, giving Andersen most of the period off to enjoy life. This was anything but a quiet 22-save shutout from Andersen. He earned every bit of it.

Along with superb goaltending, the biggest reason the Canes have won all three games against the Rangers this season has been their stars running circles around New York's stars. Andrei Svechnikov had two goals and an assist tonight. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis had a goal each. They've combined for six goals and nine points through three games. Meanwhile, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere, and Vincent Trocheck have combined for zero points. Adam Fox only has one assist. The only players with more than one point in the season series for New York are Jimmy Vesey and Adam Edstrom, the former of whom didn't play tonight. In fact, Edstrom was the only player with a goal against the Canes in the lineup for the Rangers. The Canes have outclassed the Rangers in every facet this season and it is painfully obvious on the scoresheet.

I promise I'll stop singling out the new guys after their first home game on Thursday. Both Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall were stellar tonight, earning their first points by providing the primary assists on Svechnikov's goals. Rantanen has been every bit the player advertised, while Hall has been a pleasant surprise. I knew how good Hall was, evidenced by his winning the Hart Trophy in 2018. However, he has been very impactful through two games. His speed and patience made the opening goal possible and his impact was felt without a single shot attempt tonight. If this is the play we can expect from him on a nightly basis, the Canes might be in business.

When We Meet Again- The final meeting of the regular season will be the Hurricanes' penultimate home game in mid-April. It'll be Carolina's first home game following a four-game road trip as the Canes go for the series sweep.

#RaiseUp First Star of the Game- Andrei Svechnikov

This could truly go to the entire team tonight, but contributing to three of the four goals is likely to set you apart from your peers. Andrei Svechnikov helped set the tone in the first minute of the game, snapping a wicked shot into the top corner. His second goal might've been even more important, stunning the Rangers before the break. He drew a penalty, added an assist on the back-breaking goal, and was the best player on the ice for most of the night. 

The Road Ahead- Only a handful of games separate the Hurricanes from the break. They'll play two games at home, hosting Chicago on Thursday and Los Angeles on Saturday, before hitting the road to face Winnipeg and Minnesota. The final game before the break will be next Saturday when the Canes host the Utah Hockey Club.