Hurricanes Fall To Rangers, Snap Three-Game Winning Streak

The Hurricanes saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday, as they fell to the New York Rangers, 2-1, in Madison Square Garden.

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the third period and the score knotted at one-apiece, New York would strike for the game-winning goal.

As the puck sat in the corner to the left of Freddie Andersen, Tony DeAngelo took the wrong angle due to the positioning of the official, which created an opening in the defensive zone. This allowed Jacob Trouba to find a cutting Will Cuylie in front of the crease.

Cuylie fired the puck past Freddie Andersen, lifting the Rangers to their sixth straight victory.

Chris Kreider scored the game’s opening goal with 17:19 remaining in the opening period, cashing in New York’s first power play opportunity of the night.

Less than seven minutes later, with 10:07 on the scoreboard, the Hurricanes found the back of the net for their only score of the contest. On the man advantage, Sebastian Aho fired a beautiful pass from blue line to blue line, finding Seth Jarvis, who beat Igor Shesterkin for his only blemish in the box score.

In a game with a combined three scores, the performance of the goaltenders was more than stellar. For nearly 40 minutes, the score remained tied at one all.

Shesterkin stopped 26 of Carolina’s 27 shot attempts, while Andersen tallied 24 saves on 26 shot attempts in what was his first loss of the season.

Thursday night’s contest was one that is easy to forget and a game that lacked a ton of flow. In the second period, Carolina played their style of hockey and kept New York on their heels, but they quickly regained momentum in the final frame.

The Rangers recorded five power play chances, which prompted some dismay from Rod Brind’Amour, while the Hurricanes converted on one of their two opportunities.

“In even games, that’s not how it should be,” said Brind’Amour. “That’s what I’m feeling right now so I’m frustrated. That’s not how it should have went in my opinion.”

Three of Carolina’s five penalties came in the opening frame, leading to a first period that prevented much opportunity to get into a rhythm.

Entering the contest, the Rangers had allowed just 18 goals in nine contests, good for second in the league, while Carolina’s 39 goals surrendered were tied for the most in the NHL.

But, in a game where winning streaks were on the line, the Hurricanes allowed two goals or less for the fourth straight game, an effort that often times leads to a win. Unfortunately, in an even contest, there was little margin for error.

“It was a hard-fought game. They’re a really good team,” said Sebastian Aho. “We just have to find a way there at the end to win a hockey game.”

With the loss, Carolina drops to 6-5-0 on the season and 3-5 away from PNC Arena.

A one day break awaits before the Hurricanes return to action on Saturday for their third consecutive Metropolitan Division contest, when they take on the New York Islanders.

Puck is set for 7:30pm EST at UBS Arena.