3 Takeaways from Game 1 loss to Carolina

1. Experience Counts

Postseason experience is crucial. That was hammered home to all of us within the opening minute or two in Game One on Saturday.

Entering the game as some people’s dark horse to make some real noise in both this best-of-five series and in the actual Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Rangers were in for a rude awakening.

Former Blueshirt defenseman Brady Skjei, perhaps out to prove a point to his former employees, certainly went after Jesper Fast with a lot of venom, taking his old teammate out of the game with a shuddering hit.

It was pretty much game over from that point on as the Canes won the early mental battle, with Jacob Slavin crushing the spirits of the young Rangers at 1:01 after being allowed to join the rush without any pressure or attention.

Henrik Lundqvist the Hurricane slayer, and filling in for phenom goalie Igor Shesterkin, was left out to dry by his defense and he couldn’t be faulted for Carolina’s other two goals either.

While the Rangers stayed in the contest the Canes were just more prepared, more hungry and more willing to mix in the dark arts of the game.

They let their presence known from the get-go and they almost bulled the young Rangers at points.

The Hurricanes were disciplined when they needed to be and their aggressive forecheck absolutely suffocated the life out of the Blueshirts, especially on the power play.

New York’s explosive top six forward unit was stifled with Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin limited in the impact they could make on the game.

Overall, this was a real lesson for Head Coach David Quinn and his young roster, a lesson they must learn from quickly ahead of Game 2 on Monday.

Because, another slow start and another no-show from their big guns will all but seal an early postseason exit for the New York Rangers.