The Rangers bent but did not break the first two periods. Unfortunately, the sagged in the third period under the weight of the relentless Carolina attack, allowing three goals and falling 3-2 Tuesday in the front end of a home-and-home with the Hurricanes. The two sides meet in Carolina on Thursday.
Game recap:
Lines:
Panarin-Zibanejad-Tarasenko
Kreider-Trocheck-Kane
Lafreniere-Chytil-Kakko
Vesey-Goodrow-Motte
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Mikkola-Schneider
A few thoughts:
1)
Game flow - Carolina controlled play much of the game. Their DNA is to constantly charge forward and pressure their opponents on the forecheck in the offensive zone. That style of attack made it difficult for the Rangers to clear the zone cleanly and effectively, resulting in 26 turnovers, 20 of which were registered as giveaways, thought most was forced not unforced. In addition, the Hurricanes controlled the time of possession through the game and outshot New York 39-30 in the contest.
“Honestly, the whole game I thought they outplayed us," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. "They were a lot quicker than we were tonight for whatever reason. They managed the puck real well. When we did have some breakouts, it just seemed like they were right on us. But it all comes back to we didn't skate enough, we didn't move the puck enough, we didn't play our game. They were the quick, quick team and we were slow."
2) Vince Mercogliano highlighted the imbalance of the
performance of the Hurricanes forwards compared to that of the Rangers. Of the four trios, the only Rangers' line that won their SOG battle was the Kid Line of Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Karali Kakko, who did so by a 5-3 margin.
The most alarming tally came from the second line of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Vladimir Tarasenko, which was outshot, 13-5, and surrendered a team-high four high-danger scoring chances. The fourth line, which posted the team’s first of the game, was outshot, 9-4, according to Natural Stat Trick, and was on ice for the Jaden Chatfield goal that tied the game at one and really turned the tide.
Despite those numbers, hard to be upset with the fourth line. Motte, who had three goals his first 47 games of the year, scored for the third time in four games and there is a level of confidence when they are on the ice. The last trio now looks like more of a weapon and is a unit that coach Gerard Gallant can rely on, despite the “rough” game yesterday.
"That's just their identity − to play fast, forecheck, and try to be relentless in their pursuit of the puck," Jimmy Vesey said.
3)
Igor Shesterkin was solid again. The goals allowed in the third period were not necessarily on him. Igor will get a chance for revenge, as he should be between the pipes again Thursday. Shesterkin came up especially big during a second period in which the Rangers were outshot, 15-5, and on their heels. Igor was the sole reason why New York ended the period up by one.
4)
Defense - Ryan Lindgren had an assist and played 16:13 in his return after missing 11 straight games with an upper-body injury he sustained Feb. 25. He showed a little bit of rust, which was expected. In addition, and mildly concerning, Lindgren left the game with what was termed as a shooting pain that will need to be managed the rest of the way. Clearly, despite missing 11 games and 23 days, Lindgren is not fully healthy.
Was it a little scare when he left for a few minutes, “he’s going to have stuff, little things like that, shooting pain. I don’t know, they said not to worry about it, but I worry about it (smile), but he was fine.”
K’Andre Miller, after a brilliant offensive game Sunday and looking better in his own end recently, struggled in this contest. The same for Braden Schneider, who was paired with Miller late in the contest. Ben Harpur sat for Miller with Niko Mikkola playing well while on the third pair. You wonder if Gallant will mix and match down the stretch to find the optimal combinations or Lindgren will be rested again to make sure he is as healthy as possible for the playoffs.
5)
Standings: New York is third in the Metropolitan Division, eight points behind Carolina and six back of New Jersey for second. The opportunity to win the division likely has passed. Second place may also be a long shot, but more will be determined depending on what happens the next few games, including the contest again Carolina on Thursday and New Jersey next week.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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