Hurricanes Defeat Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with a score of 3-2. The Hurricanes lead this best-of-five series 1-0. The game was played at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Here’s a recap of Game 1 between the Rangers and Hurricanes.

1st Period

It wouldn’t be playoff hockey if there wasn’t any kind of physicality. The Rangers showed how physical they can be racking up 20 hits compared to Carolina’s nine hits during this period. Even with the Rangers dealing the most hits, Carolina was able to get more scoring chances both on even-strength and power plays. Canes’ defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored the game’s first goal 61 seconds into the game, beating Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Also, Rangers forward Jesper Fast was hit by Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei that sent Fast to the locker room. Consequently, Fast never returned to the game.

Carolina went into the second period with a score of 1-0.

2nd Period

More penalties were called giving both teams about an even chance to get the puck in the back of the net. The Hurricanes were the only ones able to convert on the power play thanks to forward Sebastion Aho tipping the puck in the goal from forward Andrei Svechnikov. However, New York was able to focus more on getting more shots on the goal rather than just hitting. Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad also tipped in the puck to cut the Hurricanes lead down to one. From there, both teams got some good scoring opportunities but the Canes shot more goals on net 15-11 by the end of the period.

Carolina was able to hold on to a one-goal lead with a score of 2-1 going into the third period.

3rd Period

Not many penalties were called this period. However, the Rangers were called for both of the period’s penalties. Fortunately for them, Carolina couldn’t convert on both power plays. But, Hurricanes forward Martin Necas scored just after the Canes’ first power play of the period ended with the assist of Rangers’ defenseman Marc Staal’s skate. Aho had a chance to score again several seconds after Necas’ goal but Lundqvist saved a goal on a 2-on-1 Carolina breakaway. Staal was able to get redemption and scored a short-handed goal to cut the lead to one. In the end, New York wasn’t able to force the game to overtime.

Carolina won Game 1 of this best-of-five series with a score of 3-2.

This series is definitely an interesting one given that both teams showed how good they can be offensively and defensively.

Three Stars of the Game

Third Star: Sebastian Aho (1 goal, 1 assist)

Second Star: Mika Zibanejad (1 goal, 1 assist)

First Star: Jaccob Slavin (1 goal, 1 assist)

Game two of the Hurricanes-Rangers series is on Aug. 3 at 12 pm EST.