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New York Rangers: Main keys to taking Game 1 against Hurricanes

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers battle for the puck during the third period at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2022 in New York City. The Hurrricanes defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers battle for the puck during the third period at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2022 in New York City. The Hurrricanes defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Jan 21, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) scores a goal past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) scores a goal past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Winning the special teams battle

The playoffs are all about the small margins and winning the game of inches, which is why special teams play such a huge role in the postseason.

They could be a big factor in this series too, especially given how good both teams have been in that department this year.

The Rangers owned one of the deadliest and most potent power plays in the NHL during the regular season, succeeding at a 25.2 percent clip, which was good enough to be ranked fourth best in the league.

It continued to click in the postseason and the Blueshirts went 6-for-19 in the First Round (31.6 percent), with the top unit in particular coming up clutch, including Artemi Panarin’s game-winner in Overtime of Game Seven.

On the flip side, the Hurricanes had the best penalty kill during the regular season (88.0 percent), while they are currently ranked eighth in the playoffs (79.3 percent).

Interestingly, they went 11-for-12 in their four wins against Boston in Round One but were 12-for-17 on the PK in the three losses, and they showed a tendency to get into penalty trouble after entering the box a combined 14 times in Games Three and Four.

If the Rangers can force the Canes to take some early penalties in Game One, then that could be the key ingredient they need to strike early and often. Plus, there could be opportunities for the penalty killers, who ranked seventh (82.3 percent) in the regular season and rank 10th in the playoffs (73.9 percent) against a Carolina power play that succeeded at a 22 percent clip in the regular season, while they were 5-for-36 on the man advantage against Boston (13.9 percent).

Basically, execute on special teams and this game could be there for the taking for the Rangers.

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