The New York Rangers thought they were in the clear, but the Carolina Hurricanes did make a concerted push to impede their progress. The Rangers got out to a unexpected 3-0 series stranglehold against the Hurricanes, and as we shall see in our recap, thought it was smooth sailing ahead. However, Rob Brind’Amour’s squad, perhaps the Stanley Cup favourites at the outset of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, did flex their might. But perhaps it was too little, too late, as they stormed back on the Hurricanes in game six in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Rangers and Hurricanes Second Round Series Recap
In the Rangers and Hurricanes series decider, we can recap at it as the rest of the series. For the Hurricanes, they thought it would be easy, and boy, were they wrong. The New York Rangers have too many quick strike attackers saturated throughout their lineup. This weighs down the opponents when they get further dejected from being robbed by Igor Shesterkin. As for game six itself, the Hurricanes had comfortably built themselves up a 3-1 lead. Sebastian Aho was going, with a goal and an assist. Furthermore, they were playing it up to the rowdy Raleigh fans. However, then one of the Rangers top-quick strike attackers pounced.
Rangers Chris Kreider Recaps the Game Six of the Series of the Hurricanes with his Goals
Chris Kreider, in an all-time great New York Ranger franchise playoff performance, won the series single-handedly for the Blueshirts. He scored a natural hat trick less than nine minutes apart. He now has seven tucks in this year’s post-season. It may not be quite up there with Mark Messier guarantee, but maybe it should be. The only thing really taking away from it was it occurred in game six, not game seven. Who knows what would’ve been if the Hurricanes held the lead, and took it back to Madison Square Garden for game seven. In a single game showdown, anything can happen.
Alexis Lafreniere Had Huge Series versus the Canes
One player for the Rangers who had a big series was their star prospect from 2020, Alexis Lafreniere. Lafreniere is really starting to find his game. It can be tough as a top prospect, and not be a big-time point producer, you know, having that cookie monster edge. In contrast, what Lafreniere brings, is a lot of skill, and a will to be one step ahead of you when the puck gets on his stick in tight. To that point, he scored four goals and added two assists in the first four games of the series. He was a huge part of the club being up three games to none.
Then, if the Rangers are indeed applying a next-man up mentality for their supporting role players, it is exactly what happened. Tonight’s game six playoff performer was none other than the third star from the game, Vincent Trocheck. Trocheck was all over the ice for the Rangers. Seemingly willing them himself through the second period lull. In fact, that is when he scored his goal, to bring it back to a one-goal game at the time. Then for the third period, and it was pure and simply the Chris Kreider show.
POV: @TheGarden when #NYR advanced to the ECF. pic.twitter.com/LaDfqby2dm
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 17, 2024
It really shows you how tight the series was in some ways. The Hurricanes can clearly dominate if they are applying themselves. They had too much depth scattered throughout this year’s roster not to. Adding Jake Guentzel was a huge deal. But ultimately, as good as the team might have been, they couldn’t get it done. Even though their goaltender, Frederik Andersen had a tremendous series and playoffs. Especially considering he was coming back from injury. But the Rangers are fully-deserving of the Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The winner of the other Eastern Conference final is still not decided. With the Florida Panthers currently up 3-2 over the Boston Bruins, game six goes tomorrow night from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Main photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
