Rangers knot series at 2 games apiece with 4-1 win

Some issues remain

Despite the final score, the Hurricanes had 46 shots attempts at 5v5 compared to 32 for the Rangers and they had 11 high danger scoring chances compared to seven for New York.

Perhaps most disturbing is the Rangers’ lack of proficiency in the faceoff circle. The Canes won 64.7% of the faceoffs with their 33 wins almost double the Rangers’ 18.  For the entire series, Carolina has won 60% of the draws.  It’s a miracle that they haven’t able to take advantage of that on the scoresheet.  While Zibanejad and Copp held their own, winning 14 of 27 draws (52%),  Tyler Motte, Ryan Strome and Kevin Rooney only four of 20 (20%).

Let’s not even get into the 29 giveaways credited to the Rangers.

Artemi Panarin really needs to score a goal. He had three shots including one on the breakaway, but he still has not driven to the net or forced play.  On the fourth goal by Andrew Copp, Panarin was perched on the doorstep and that had to  be a distraction for Raanta when Copp took his shot.  So, his presence on the ice disrupts the Canes’ defense, but a goal would be nice.

Next game

The next game is Thursday night in Raleigh, again on ESPN at 7pm. There has been no word on what time Game Six will be on Saturday, nor who is televising it. The question is whether anyone be able to break through and win a game on Hurricanes’ home ice where they are undefeated in six games.

Frederik Andersen was back at practice on Tuesday and is getting closer to returning.  Raanta has done nothing to deserve a seat on the bench, but you never know.

That’s the challenge facing the Rangers as they head to North Carolina.