Analyzing the New York Rangers/ Hurricanes Regular Season Series

Game 2: November 27 – Rangers 3 Carolina 2

The two teams matched up later in the same month  at Madison Square Garden as we saw the same goaltending configuration.  The only difference was the addition of Mika Zibanejad as he returned to the lineup for the first time in a month.  At this point, both teams were garnering  praise for their defensive scoring. Carolina’s Hamilton was leading all NHL defensemen with ten goals on the season.

ZIbanejad  demonstrated his importance to the team early when New York drew two early back-to-back penalties.  Just 15 seconds into the second power play, the Swede scored an emotional, welcome back goal and the Rangers were on their way.

Less than two minutes later, Brendan Smith doubled the lead making it 2-0 while they still had a majority of the first period to go.  The Rangers mimicked the pace of the Canes with no problem which allowed them to strike once more in the first period. Once again, Fox reminded his former organization what they were missing by scoring and contributing to New York’s comfortable lead.

Carolina scored two second period goals, but Lundqvist shut them down the rest of the way.  The Hurricanes poured 43 shots on goal and Lundqvist had another fine night in net.

One main highlight of this game was the Rangers’ display of multi-line scoring. If the Rangers plan to go far with their precious opportunity this season, they will need to see scoring from all lines and age groups.

Although they do need to get all players going during this valuable opportunity they’ve been given, it’s obvious that setting up Panarin and Zibanejad are key. The Rangers played these games with such an opportunistic force and that is exactly what they will have to carry over into this next set.