After defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers found themselves facing the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs. It was certain to be an exciting matchup between the top two teams of the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes and the Rangers had been “fighting” for the top spot during the latter half of the regular season, and Carolina was finally able to come out on top.
Carolina was the better team during the regular season, winning three out of the four games. However, that never means much when it comes to the playoffs. In this case, both teams had terrible times on the road. Wining at home appeared to be a sure thing, but never place all your bets on what you see because it might change in an instant. That was Game 7. Carolina had the advantage since it was a home game for them, and the rangers had yet to play meaningful hockey at PNC, though they tried.
For the Rangers, having their backs against the wall and no one but their fans believing in them is second nature. It is in their DNA. When everything is on the line, these boys in blue do not give up. The proof is in the Game 7 win on the road. The Rangers did not look like they had in the past on the road. Perhaps it surprised Carolina, and they didn’t know what to do with this group. We might never know. However it happened, the Rangers are now going to the Eastern Conference to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Be sure to keep up with all of our NHL coverage.
Goaltending Czar
There is only one Igor Shesterkin. Throughout the games against Carolina, he always gave them the opportunity to win by keeping them in the game. Some derisively say the Rangers have only gotten this far because of him, obviously insinuating the rest of the team is nothing worth caring about. Only part of that is true. He has undoubtedly kept the Rangers in games they had no business winning, in both the regular season and in the playoffs. What these naysayers tend not to realize, or want to see, is that the Rangers have some pretty great players who can make plays if given a chance. Shesterkin gives them that chance, and sometimes that is all you need.
The Czar’s Number One Warrior
The Rangers have many a young man destined to be a top warrior. However, Ryan Lindgren deserves that top honor right now. Everyone knows he is battling injuries and pain, but he is still out on the ice. Surely he must be made out of iron by now because it is impressive to see him get hurt, leave the ice for a hot minute, and then be back out on the ice. He is the embodiment of the “No Quit in NY” mantra.
Game 7 was no exception. Lindgren was smashed into the boards by Nino Niederreiter, but there was no call for boarding. He was obviously hurt, limping, and had to be helped off the ice to the locker room. It appeared as if the rangers would be down a defenseman for the rest of the game, plus the possibility of having Patrik Nemeth suit up against Tampa. However, in true warrior fashion, he was back out on the ice, to everyone’s surprise, and the delight of Rangers fans.
What We Learned
There are many lessons a person could learn from the Rangers, besides not being a quitter. New York was never expected to make it this far, except maybe by the fans. Most were hoping for a wildcard spot at the beginning of the season, just to see what might happen if the Rangers could get their foot in the playoff door. No one could ever have imagined at the time that the Eastern Conference Final was in the Rangers’ future. Despite all of the things analysts, broadcasters, and fans found faulty with the boys in blue, they always seemed to find a way to win.
That “never say die” attitude has served them well over the season and into the playoffs. The Rangers won’t go quietly into the night; that is not their style. They are going to make you work to beat them. They will frustrate you, annoy you, and then flip the puck into the net. No one likes to lose. However, in sports, there is always a loser. How you lose is just as important as how you win. New York has shown everyone that it doesn’t matter what happened last time, for tomorrow is a new day.
Scoring Summary
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1
May 18, 2022
PNC Arena
L 2-1/OT
1st Period
07:07-Filip Chytil & Alexis Lafreniere
2nd Period
No Scoring
3rd Period
17:37-Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis & Teuvo Teravainen
OT
03:12-Ian Cole, Brendan Smith & Jesperi Kotkaniemi
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Game 2
May 20, 2022
PNC Arena
L 2-0
1st Period
No Scoring
2nd Period
15:54-Brendan Smith, Sebastian Aho & Teuvo Teravainen
3rd Period
19:58-Sebastian Aho
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Game 3
May 22, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 3-1
1st Period
11:54-Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin & Adam Fox
2nd Period
05:55-Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad & Jacob Trouba
08:18-Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Staal & Brendan Smith
3rd Period
18:37-Tyler Motte
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Game 4
May 24, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 4-1
1st Period
13:31-Frank Vatrano, Andrew Copp & Adam Fox
15:42-Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren & Andrew Copp
2nd Period
16:48-Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Lindgren & Frank Vatrano
3rd Period
06:33-Teuvo Teravainen & Sebastian Aho
11:10-Andrew Copp & Ryan Strome
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Game 5
May 26, 2022
PNC Arena
L 3-1
1st Period
12:57-Vincent Trocheck & Jordan Staal
17:06-Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin & Adam Fox
2nd Period
09:47-Teuvo Teravainen, Seth Jarvis & Anthony DeAngelo
3rd Period
13:01-Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas & Brett Pesce
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Game 6
May 28, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 5-2
1st Period
07:22-Tyler Motte
09:51-Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox & Igor Shesterkin
2nd Period
03:24-Filip Chytil & Adam Fox
05:05-Brady Skjei, Sebastian Aho & Seth Jarvis
06:47-Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere & Igor Shesterkin
12:47-Vincent Trocheck, Martin Necas & Brady Skjei
3rd Period
07:43-Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider & Ryan Strome
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Game 7
May 30, 2022
PNC Arena
W 6-2
1st Period
03:40-Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere & Andrew Copp
08:00-Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad & Adam Fox
2nd Period
16:19-Ryan Strome, Artemi Panarin & K’Andre Miller
3rd Period
03:59-Chris Kreider, Frank Vatrano & Mika Zibanejad
08:11-Vincent Trocheck, Anthony DeAngelo & Sebastian Aho
08:51-Filip Chytil & Kaapo Kakko
16:13-Max Domi, Jordan Martinook & Jesperi Kotkaniemi
17:08-Andre Copp, Mika Zibanejad & Barclay Goodrow
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Liz Pendergraft on Twitter @lizzibear824
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
