There has never been a best-of-seven series between the Rangers and the Hurricanes. In 2020, the two teams had faced each other in the qualifying round (three of five). The “Canes” had swept away New Yorkers. To reach the second round, Carolina beat the Boston Bruins in seven games, winning all four of their home games. The “Blueshirts” have also won in seven games. They erased a 3-1 deficit in their matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Artemi Panarin scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the ultimate encounter at Madison Square Garden. Gerard Gallant’s side showed a lot of character in the first round by making comebacks in the three games they faced elimination.
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Rangers sheet
2nd Metropolitan, 110 pts82 pj | 52v | 24d | 6 dp
Hurricanes sheet
1st Metropolitan, 116 pts82 pj | 54v | 20d | 8 dp
KEEPERS
Igor Shesterkin should win the Vezina Trophy for the first time in his young career. The 26-year-old Russian didn’t live up to his talent early in the playoffs against the Penguins, but he’s regained his senses for the crucial games. Prior to this season, he only had one game of playoff experience. There are more doubts in the Hurricanes camp. Still injured, Frederik Andersen has not put on his leggings since April 16. In his absence, in the first round, Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov had to share the work. Coach Rod Brind’Amour has trusted Raanta in the last four games against the Bruins. He was injured early in the second game after contact with David Pastrnak.
DEFENDERS
The Hurricanes have one of the best groups of defensemen in the NHL. Jaccob Slavin is probably one of the most overshadowed stars. In the first round of the playoffs, he led his team with eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) and maintained a 10 differential. Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei are also very reliable, while Tony DeAngelo has revived his career in Raleigh. At Rangers, they have the 2021 Norris Trophy winner with Adam Fox. After him, the Americans K’Andre Miller, Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren play very important roles in the top 4. Lindgren was absent for three games against the Penguins.
FORWARDERS
Sebastian Aho, Andreï Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen, Vincent Trocheck, Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal and Nino Niederreiter. It is not the talent and the depth that are lacking in the Hurricanes. Brind’Amour can even use Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Max Domi and Derek Stepan in his fourth line. Rangers have a 52-goal scorer in Chris Kreider, a 96-point winger in Artemi Panarin and an 81-point center in Mika Zibanejad. The young Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil will still have to experience a good series. Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, Andrew Copp hurt the Penguins with seven points in seven games.
SPECIAL UNITS
Rangers rode at a good pace on the power play with six goals from 19 chances (31.6%). The Hurricanes generated several penalties against the Bruins, but they didn’t hit the target often with five goals on 36 attempts (13.9%). The “Canes” sat atop the NHL this season shorthanded at 88.0%. They saw a slight drop in the first round to 79.3%.
CONFRONTATIONS 2021-2022
Rangers 1-3-0
Hurricanes 3-1-0
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