New York Rangers shutout Carolina Hurricanes in a defensive showdown in Raleigh
By Conor Power
Your New York Rangers follow up a great defensive performance against the New Jersey Devils with an even better one as they shut out the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The two teams went toe-to-toe all night long, but the Rangers managed to nab the game after a former Rangers was there to provided a helping hand with a lucky deflection. New York moves six points clear with less than 20 games to go in the season.
With less than a minute to go in the opening frame, the Rangers would break the ice. A shot from the side wall from Adam Fox would catch the boot of former New York Ranger Brady Skjei and beat Pyotr Kochetkov between the legs to open the scoring after a good first period from the Blueshirts. This was a game where space was limited, chances were few and far between, and how clinical the teams were with those chances would decide this one.
New York would stand tall defensively in this one to hold the Hurricanes off the scoreboard as Igor Shesterkin is able to win a goaltending duel with young Pyotr Kochetkov, thanks to a lucky bounce off the skate of a former Ranger, but it sees the Rangers take dominant control of the Metropolitan Division title. Six points clear of the Hurricanes after a superb performance from Igor will do that, and now we get to enjoy the remainder of the season, practically stress free.
As a potential playoff series, this would be an interesting rematch. Two years ago, the Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes in round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs when Igor was sparkling. Now, there could be a chance that the two teams clash again in round two. New York look set to win the division and the Hurricanes are going to be right there in the postseason with them. Would be a fun rematch.