Blue Line Station
Fansided

Nothing finer than the playoffs against Carolina (we hope)

By Scott Esposito

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers scores the game winning goal on the power-play at 19:35 of the third period against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers scores the game winning goal on the power-play at 19:35 of the third period against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Why the Rangers will win1. History

The last time the Rangers lost a season series to Hurricanes was in 2005-06. Since then, New York was an astounding 37-14-1 against Carolina. In the last 25 meetings between them, the Rangers are 20-5. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist might be considered Hurricane’s co-owner given his dominance over them. In 46 career games, “The King” is 33-12-1 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and two shutouts.

2. This season

The Rangers won all four meetings by a combined score of 17-9. They dominated on special teams, converting on 5 of 14 power plays (an incredible 36%) and killing 13 of Carolina’s 15 man-advantages (87%). Lundqvist won three times, posting a 2.33 GAA and .947 save percentage. Rookie Igor Shesterkin stopped 27 of 29 shots in his start. The firepower was provided by Artemi Panarin (three goals, six assists), Mika Zibanejad (four goals, three assists), and Ryan Strome (two goals, two assists). Defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Jacob Trouba each had four assists.

3. No Jeff Skinner!

This guy killed the Rangers as a member of the Canes. A trained figure skater, whose agility and quickness compensate for his 5-11, 200-pound frame, Skinner had 22 points (12 goals) in 30 games versus the Blueshirts for Carolina. He’s cooled off some since being traded to Buffalo in August 2018, scoring twice for the Sabres in five games against New York.

Next, a look at what could go wrong for the Rangers.

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