The Carolina Hurricanes traveled up north to take on the New York Rangers in a Thursday night showdown. The Canes couldn’t get the job done in Madison Square Garden, losing 2-1 in a tough, defensive matchup.
This game marked the first meeting between Carolina (6-5-0) and the Rangers (8-2-0) in the 2023-24 season. New York is currently the top team in the Metropolitan Division, sitting three spots above the Canes.
The Rangers got on the board first , when a shot from left wing Chris Kreider got past the Carolina pipes less than three minutes into the game during a power play. Penalties got the best of the Canes’ bench, which totalled five by the end of 60 minutes of play.
Soon after Kreider’s goal, Carolina bounced back from the 1-0 deficit on a power play of its own. Center Seth Jarvis broke down the middle of the ice halfway through the period and slipped a quick shot past New York netminder Igor Shesterkin. Off a pass from center Sebastian Aho, Jarvis recorded his tenth point in eleven games played.
The second period was a slow one for both sides of the ice. Neither team was able to break free from the 1-1 tie or even get above 10 shots on goal. The Carolina defense kept the puck away from the Rangers, only allowing them four shots on goaltender Frederik Andersen. Both teams got power plays this period too, but the penalty kills by both squads cleared the pucks easily.
It was halfway through the third period that the Rangers got back on top with another goal — left wing Will Cuylle scored the final point of the matchup halfway through the period.
The Carolina defense was buzzing up and down the ice this game, with three defensemen tallying over 20 minutes of ice time. Defenseman Brent Burns led the team in ice time, totaling 25 minutes. Carolina finished the game with 10 hits compared to the Rangers’ 14.
This was Andersen’s first loss between the pipes this season, although he still put up a .923 save percentage. With this game, the netminder has had a save percentage over .900 in his past three nights in goal.
Carolina will stay in New York to take on the Islanders in UBS Arena on Saturday, Nov. 4 with puck drop slated for 7:30 p.m.
