RALEIGH, N.C. — In a nail-biting finish, the Carolina Hurricanes kept their playoff hopes alive by registering a crucial 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday night. The win, powered by a long-overdue effective power play, avoided a sweep in Game 4 of their second-round series.
The game-winning goal came from Brady Skjei during a power play with just over three minutes left on the clock. A precise assist from Tuevo Teravainen allowed Skjei to launch the puck from the point, blazing past Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin and striking the upper-right corner of the net. This marked the Hurricanes’ first power play goal in 17 attempts this series, propelling them into the lead after previously losing a two-goal advantage.
Despite the pressure, the Hurricanes are determined to continue their journey in the NHL playoffs. “Tonight, getting the win is all that matters,” said coach Rod Brind’Amour, dismissing the significance of the power play breakthrough. The Rangers, leading the series 3-1, have another opportunity to close it out in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
Scorers for Carolina were Evgeny Kuznetsov, Stefan Noesen, and Sebastian Aho, with Frederik Andersen contributing 22 saves. The Hurricanes are now eyeing a historic comeback, aiming to be the first team since 2014 to overcome a 3-0 series deficit and win.
The initial period saw Carolina taking control early on, building momentum with leads of 2-0 and 3-1. “We brought the aggression that was needed,” Aho commented, highlighting the team’s strong start. The decision to adjust the power-play lineup by including Skjei paid off remarkably when he scored the decisive goal, leading to celebrations among teammates and fans alike.
On the Rangers’ side, Will Cuylle, Barclay Goodrow, and Alexis Lafreniere found the net, with Shesterkin stopping 27 shots. Despite a promising start to their playoff run, including sweeping Washington in Round 1, the Rangers now face the challenge of regaining their edge to progress further.
Rangers’ coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the early difficulties faced by his team, emphasizing the need for a sharper approach moving forward. The quest for a flawless postseason run was halted but the ambition remains high.
The exciting series between the top-ranked Metropolitan Division Rangers and the powerhouse Hurricanes promises more suspenseful action as it moves back to New York. With Carolina’s power play back in action and the team’s spirits rejuvenated, the battle for a spot in the next round intensifies.