New York Rangers win game two in double overtime to hold home ice advantage
By Conor Power
After a back-and-forth game, the Rangers won game two in the second overtime period to hold a 2-0 series lead going to Raleigh. This affair was much tighter than game one, with the Hurricanes dominating for significant stretches. Thanks to Igor Shesterkin's 54-save performance to keep the Hurricanes at bay, the Rangers won and moved into a commanding position. Holding home ice against this team was vital, and the Rangers did that.
It started when Alexis Lafreniere could pick up a loose puck in the slot and rifle it into the top corner of the net. Jesperi Kotkaniemi blocked the initial shot, but Lafreniere flew around the inside of the net with the venom he rifled it home with. It was in and out of the net before Frederik Andersen could react to the bullet from the stick of the Quebecois winger, and the Rangers grabbed the lead early.
Carolina answered back before the end of the first when Andrei Svechkinov beat Braden Schneider in a board battle. Carolina worked the puck back to the point for Sebastian Aho, whose shot was deflected in the high slot by Jake Guentzel. He starts to punish the Blueshirts for not acquiring him at the deadline by scoring against them in this postseason. This would not be the only time he would appear on the score sheet tonight.
With six seconds to go in the first period, the Hurricanes took their first lead of the series. Brady Skjei's point shot was deflected out in front by Dmitry Orlov. The Russian defenseman found his way into the low slot during the 4-on-4 and tipped the puck home past Igor Shesterkin, and the Rangers had to find an answer.
When the Rangers need an answer, step forward Alexis Lafreniere. A cross-crease pass from Adam Fox to the back post set up Laffy for his second goal of the game, as he could jam it through Andersen's pads to tie the game. New York had momentum and needed the next goal to cement their advantage in this one.
Unfortunately, the Canes would be the team to grab the next goal in this one. It would come via the big trade deadline acquisition again as he continues to haunt the Rangers for not picking him up. Guentzel would find a soft spot in the slot which allowed Sebastiana Aho to fire a dart right onto the blade of the Omaha, Nebraska native and the Rangers were trailing again.
From here until the game's conclusion, it would be the powerplay that did the heavy lifting for the Blueshirts. Chris Kreider would score with less than six minutes in the third period to tie the game up. It was a big goal that the Rangers needed. Vincent Trocheck would do the same in the second overtime to end the game and cement the series lead for the Rangers.