A 3-1 win thanks to goalie Igor Shesterkin saved Rangers from a poor start to their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes in New York on Sunday.
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Nominated for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goaltender, Shesterkin made 43 saves, giving the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead in the series instead of 3-0.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old Russian chose a very unfavorable time for a gift. A weak backhand shot by Nino Niederreiter slipped under his arm, allowing the guests to catch up in second place.
Good start
Wanting to avoid being backed into the wall, Gerard Gallant’s side started this meeting accordingly. In the middle of the first third, Mika Zibanejad scored on goal on the power play. He used a diagonal pass from Artemi Panarin to fool Antti Raanta’s vigilance. It was his fourth goal in the playoffs.
Veteran Chris Kreider added in the second third with a goal from an acute angle. After scoring his first 50-goal season in his 30s, the American has now scored six goals in ten appearances at the spring tournament.
Brilliant since the start of the qualifiers, Raanta didn’t look bad and allowed two goals, he was tested 32 times. For his part, Tyler Motte hit the mark in an abandoned cage.
The fourth duel of this series will take place in New York on Tuesday. Both teams uncovered the table with a scuffle after the final whistle.