But after a horrific third period, the Blueshirts will have to travel back down to Raleigh to win the series against Carolina.

The Hurricanes forced a Game 6 following a 4-1 victory in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Jordan Martinook, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jordan Staal all registered goals for the Hurricanes in the third period. Martin Necas scored an empty-net goal with 3:31 remaining to put the Hurricanes up 4-1.

Staal and Kuznetsov’s goals were just 3:06 apart. Jacob Trouba scored the Rangers’ only goal during the second period.

The Rangers have lost two straight after winning their first seven games of this postseason.

“We will address it tomorrow,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said after the game. “It wasn’t a reflection of who we were a majority of the year.

“Anytime you don’t play up to your capabilities, you’re concerned about that. I also know that this group has had games like that before, and they responded.

“There’s accountability that goes with that. There are things that we can do better.”

Down 1-0 at the end of the second period, the Hurricanes finally looked like the team many expected when the series began. They scored three unanswered goals after Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was flawless through the first 40 minutes. Shesterkin stopped 24 of 27 shots on the night.

After giving up a goal in the second period, Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen went unblemished. He stopped 20 of 21 shots.

The Rangers’ defense, or lack thereof, was a problem throughout the night. Carolina was able to get close to the net without much resistance most of the night. But it just took the Hurricanes until the third period before they were able to break through.

Carolina players have been tired of the talk about its special teams unit throughout the series. But power-play issues continued to haunt the Hurricanes in Monday’s game.

On their first power play of the game, the Hurricanes were unable to capitalize, and Trouba scored an unassisted short-handed goal. Carolina was 0 for 3 on power play chances.

Throughout the series, the Hurricanes have only scored one power-play goal in 20 chances. However, the Hurricanes did well during their penalty kill chances. The Rangers were 0 for 3 on power play opportunities in Game 5.

During the regular season, Carolina had the second-best power play (26.9%) and the best penalty kill (86.4%) in the NHL.

“I wouldn’t say that it snowballed tonight,” Rangers center Vincent Trocheck said. “It is a seven-game series against a team that was three points behind us.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Early in the first period, the two teams had a good back-and-forth. Also, both Shesterkin and Andersen were sharp. With less than three minutes remaining in the first period, the Hurricanes had an opportunity to get on the board first, but Shesterkin turned the team away after a few excellent saves at the net.

Despite the Rangers going on a power play late in the first period following a Kuznetsov slashing penalty, the score remained scoreless after 20 minutes. Both teams combined to have 18 shots in the first period.

The Rangers received another power play 3:47 into the second period, but they came away empty-handed once again. It wasn’t until the Blueshirt committed a penalty that the team finally got on the scoreboard.

After Jack Roslovic was called for tripping (5:56), Trouba hit a snapshot short-handed goal past Andersen, putting the Rangers up 1-0. The goal was the Rangers’ fourth short-handed goal of the playoffs, the most the team has registered in any postseason since 1991-92.

Rangers winger Will Cuylle was called for tripping with 10 seconds left in the second period. But the Hurricanes couldn’t capitalize on the penalty.

Finally, at 3:33 in the third period, the Hurricanes tied the game 1-1 after Staal got around to Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider and used a backhanded shot to get the puck past Shesterkin.

Carolina took a 2-1 lead three minutes later (6:39) after Kuznetsov buried the puck following a rebound on a Brady Skjei shot. Following the goal, a frustrated Artemi Panarin slammed his stick up against the glass.

The Hurricanes extended their lead to 3-1 after Martinook scored his second goal of the playoffs. The Rangers pulled Shesterkin with 3:44 remaining, but Necas scored an empty-net goal that put the Hurricanes up 4-1.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. “They won today, we are still up 3-2.

“One game. We know what we can do. We know that’s a good team and we just have to focus on us and what we can do. I think we have enough confidence in our group.”

Filip Chytil was unavailable to play in Game 5 and is considered day-to-day. He missed Saturday’s game with an illness, and now, according to sources, he is battling soreness. This is believed to be unrelated to his previous concussion.

Rookie Matt Rempe returned to the Rangers lineup with both Chytil and Jonny Brodzinski scratched. Chytil missed Game 4 due to illness and was replaced in the lineup by Brodzinkski. Rempe sat out both Game 3 and 4.

Game 6 will be played on Thursday at PNC Arena at 7 p.m.

The Blueshirts lead the series against Carolina 3-2 following Monday’s 4-1 loss at Madison Square Garden. If the Rangers advance, they will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons. During the 2021-22 season, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

The Rangers would play either the Panthers or the Bruins in the next round. Florida currently leads the series 3-1, with Game 5 set for Tuesday night. The Panthers have outscored the Bruins 15-5 in the past three games.

The Rangers played both teams three times during the regular seasons.

Let’s delve into the potential matchups and see how the Rangers would fare against the Panthers or the Bruins.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

The Panthers disposed of the Lighting 4-1 to reach the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Florida finished the regular season with the third-most points (110) in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers won the Atlantic Division, barely edging the Bruins (109).

Florida won the regular season series against the Rangers (1-2). However, the Blueshirts defeated the Panthers in the last meeting (4-3) between the two teams on March 24.

Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk have been the two catalysts for the Panthers throughout the playoffs. Both players have 13 points apiece, and Barkov is second on the team in goals this postseason.

Carter Verhaeghe is also on a tremendous run for the Panthers. He leads the team in goals (six) and is tied for fifth in assists (four).

Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky‘s play is also a big reason the Panthers are on the brink of another conference finals appearance. He has a 2.55 goals-against average in nine games this postseason, fourth among goalies who have played at least eight or more playoff games.

Special Teams has also carried Florida during its 2024 playoff run. The Panthers have gone 6-for-18 on the power play and 8-for-9 on the penalty kill in their last three games.

BOSTON BRUINS

Boston reached the second round after defeating Toronto in seven games. But the Bruins have lost three consecutive games to the Panthers after their 5-1 win in Game 1.

Boston captain Brad Marchand missed Game 4 after being hit in the head by Sam Bennett in Game 3. He skated Monday morning and will travel with the team to Florida.

If the Bruins are going to come back from a 3-1 deficit, they certainly need Marchand back on the ice. He is the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs with 10 points in 10 games.

“Our guys played well [Sunday] night,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said on Monday. “We had a 2-0 lead, they clawed their way back into the game and we didn’t get it done.

“It’s no different than the way Toronto felt down 3-1 to us and how we felt last year, the fact that they gained momentum. We just have to go down and win a hockey game. Go out and execute the way we’re capable of and we’ll be fine.”

The Bruins’ special teams have been an issue throughout the series with the Panthers. They are 1-for-15 with an extra-man advantage against the Panthers.

The Bruins’ penalty kill has also been an Achilles heel. The Panthers have six power-play goals in the series, including four in their 6-2 victory against the Bruins in Game 3.

The Rangers won all three games against the Bruins during the regular season. In their final regular season matchup on March 21, the Rangers defeated the Bruins 5-2 in Boston behind three Artemi Panarin goals. Rangers backup goaltender Jonathan Quick also stopped 24 of 26 shots.

Late in the third period, the Hurricanes showed resilience and finally scored a game-winning power-play goal to stave off elimination.

With 3:43 remaining in the third period, Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was called for tripping. Then, with a 5-on-4 advantage, ex-Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei scored the game-winning power-play goal with 3:11 left in regulation, giving the Hurricanes a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The loss was the Rangers’ first of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after they had won their first seven games. The Blueshirts now lead the series, 3-1.

“I thought our guys had all the right intentions again right away,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “Tied it up and it went into kind of a back and forth game. Pretty even until the power play.”

All four games in the series have been decided by one goal, including the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime victory on Thursday.

Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teräväinen finished with two points, both off assists. Skjei, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Stefan Noesen, and Sebastian Aho all scored goals for the Hurricanes.

Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, and Barclay Goodrow registered goals for the Rangers, but it wasn’t enough.

After sitting in Game 3, Frederik Andersen was back between the pipes for the Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov, who started for Andersen, stopped 22 of 25 shots during the 3-2 overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 3 on Thursday. Andersen stopped 22 of 25 shots on Saturday night.

Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin has arguably been the best goaltender during this year’s postseason. But he allowed four goals on 31 shots, snapping his streak of allowing three or fewer goals in 30 consecutive starts.

Before Skjei’s goal, the Hurricanes were 0-for-15 on power play chances during the series’ first three games. They also have allowed seven penalty-kill goals on 24 opportunities during the playoffs.

In just the first period, both teams combined to score four goals.

Just 1:51 into Saturday night’s contest, Right winger Andrei Svechnikov put the Hurricanes on the board first with an unassisted wrist shot that gave them an early 1-0 lead. Carolina added to its lead after Stefan Noesen‘s fourth goal of the playoffs (6:33) to go up 2-0.

The Rangers quickly answered and cut the lead to 2-1 (8:06) after Cuylle broke free alone and gave Kaapo Kakko an excellent pass in stride. The Hurricanes extended their lead to 3-1 after Jake Guentzel fed Sebastian Aho, who used a snapshot to get the puck past Shesterkin.

The score remained the same throughout most of the second period. However, Barclay Goodrow cut the Hurricanes lead to 3-2 after he tipped in Braden Schneider‘s shot from the top of the zone.

WIth 2:04 into the third period, the Rangers tied the game 3-3 after LaFrenere’s backhand shot off Andersen. Mika Zibanejad and Jacob Trouba assisted on the goal.

With the 5-on-4 advantage, Skjei’s slap shot goal went past Shesterkin through the net to give the Hurricanes the one-score victory.

Filip Chytil missed Saturday’s game two days after returning for his first action since November. He didn’t participate during the Rangers’ morning skate after Laviolette told reporters Chytil was battling an illness. Laviolette didn’t specify Chytil’s illness but said he would be a game-time decision.

Game 5 between the Rangers and Hurricanes will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.

“There’s a lot that goes into it that can work in your favor,” Laviolette said. “We have to make sure we take care of what we do on the ice.

“Certainly, the fans, even the ones that were in the building tonight, we could hear them. We are going back to our building that’s been so good, so strong. Our fans are incredible. Having that energy in the building behind us will be important.”

Then it was Vincent Trocheck‘s power-play goal off a rebound during the second overtime to beat Carolina in Game 2.

Thursday night, it was Panarin’s time once again.

Panarin scored the game-winning goal in overtime Thursday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, giving the Rangers a 3-2 victory in Game 3 and a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Hurricanes.

“This is a resilient group and they’ve been in these situations before,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “And I think [it was] just sending messaging that we’re doing the right things, we were going to finish this because of what we’ve been through and the way we’re playing the game right now.”

The Rangers remain perfect during the playoffs after sweeping the Washington Capitals in the first round.

Panarin finished with a goal and an assist. Rangers wingers Chris Kreider and Alexis Lafrenière each tallied a goal.

Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin was tremendous once again. He stopped 45 of 47 shots on the night.

Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov registered two points, including the game-tying goal with 1:36 remaining in regulation. After starting Frederik Andersen in the first two games of the series, Carolina turned to rookie goalie Pyotr Kochetkov for Game 3.

Andersen lost Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden after stopping 54 of 62 shots. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said they wanted to give Andersen a “little rest.”

Special teams for both sides continued to be the story in the series. The Hurricanes were 0-for-5 on power play opportunities. Carolina hasn’t tallied a power-play goal for the series in 15 chances.

The Rangers also didn’t record a power play goal in Game 3. But Kreider scored a short-handed goal for the Rangers in the second period.

From the opening minutes, the Hurricanes seized the momentum. Halfway through the first period, the Rangers had only four shots on goal.

Carolina scored at 10:14 into the first period on Jake Guentzel’s fourth goal of the playoffs, which Dmitry Orlov and Svechnikov assisted.

Like the first two games of the series, the play on both sides was physical. At 11:25 in the first period, a huge scrum broke out around the Hurricanes’ net.

Both teams were called for two minor penalties each. Jimmy Vesey and Orlov were called for roughing. Barclay Goodrow and Jesperi Kotkaniem were put in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct.

During the media timeout following the multiple penalties, former Rangers and current Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo stood by the Rangers bench and took off his gloves, hoping one of the Blueshirts would fight him.

The Rangers finally got on the board almost halfway through the second period. Following an Adam Fox penalty, Kreider tied the game 1-1 on a short-handed goal at 8:30. Mika Zibanejad assisted on Kreider’s goal, which tied him for the most points (12) through seven postseason games.

The game continued to be tied in the third period until Alexis Lafrenière (6:25) scored his third goal of the playoff on an assist by Panarin and Trocheck. Lafrenière has eight points in his seven games this postseason.

With less than three minutes remaining in regulation, Kochetkov came off the ice so the Hurricanes could have an extra attacker. With the 6-on-5 advantage, Svechnikov’s wrist shot with 1:36 remaining in the third period tied the game at 2-2.

Unlike Tuesday night’s double-OT thriller at The Garden, Panarin scored the game-winning goal just 1:42 into the extra session.

Filip Chytil, who was thought to be out for the season, returned for the first time since Nov. 2. He missed 78 consecutive games, including six playoff contests, because of an upper-body injury. In late January, Chytil returned to practice but suffered a setback the next day when the Rangers announced that he would miss the remainder of the season.

Chytil returned to practice with the Rangers on April 12. Laviolette said he was medically cleared, but there was still no timetable for his return.

Chytil replaced Matt Rempe and started Game 3 as the left wing on the third line with Alexander Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko.

Game 4 of the series will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. at PNC Arena.

With The Associated Press

Through six postseason games, the Blueshirts are undefeated after Tuesday night’s 4-3 double-overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Having already disposed of the Washington Capitals in the first round, the Rangers are now heading to Raleigh with the opportunity to extend their lead to 3-0 in this second round series. Carolina (111 points) was slightly favored entering the series despite finishing second in the Metropolitan Division to the Rangers (114) during the regular season.

“When you finish high in the standings, you’re playing a team a couple points behind you,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “They are a good team, they’re a really good team. It isn’t going to be a control all 60 minutes and move on to the next game. You’re going to have to fight just to get your share of half of the minutes to go your way.”

“That’s probably the way that it is from here on out. That’s playoff hockey.”

Special teams have been the difference thus far. The Rangers converted 2-of-7 power-play chances in Game 2. The last one was Vincent Trocheck’s game-winning wrist shot in double overtime. In Game 1, the Blueshirts needed only 23 seconds to score twice on two power-play opportunities.

In their six playoff games, the Rangers have 10 goals on 25 power-play chances (40%). Only the Edmonton Oilers (45%) and Colorado Avalanche (44.4%) have had more success with the man advantage.

The Rangers’ penalty kill has been equally as good. They are third in penalty kill percentage (92.6%) behind the Oilers (100%) and Boston Bruins (95.8%).

“The power play has been clicking,” Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba said. “The intensity and sharpness is there — the same thing with the PK. The guys are sacrificing, blocking shots, in the right spots, pressuring at the right times. They’re going to make adjustments on both sides, so we have to continue to adjust and adapt.”

Conversely, the Hurricanes have shot themselves in the foot on special teams, particularly against the Rangers. Carolina has yet to score a power-play goal through two games in the series. The Rangers’ penalty kill has been flawless (10-for-10).

A lot of that has to do with the performance of Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. After allowing three goals during the first two periods of Game 2, the Russian netminder hunkered down and stopped 32 consecutive shots from the third period until the conclusion of the game.

Shesterkin’s 54 saves were the most by a Rangers goalie in a playoff game. His night included two key stops on Sebastian Aho in overtime.

During the regular season, the Hurricanes had the best penalty kill (86.4%) and the second-best power-play unit in the league (26.9%).

“We’ve got to definitely be sharper,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Tuesday night. “We’ve got to get inside. We’re all on the outside. That’s not how we do it. We’ve got to get back to doing it the way we know how to.”

May 8, 2024: 'Check mate!

After their first-round exit to the rival Devils a year ago in seven games, the Rangers added more experience to their roster.

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson has been a quality addition after coming over from the Maple Leafs. Gustafsson had 31 points during the regular season and has been a steady presence defensively with how he has moved the puck. They also brought in Jonathan Quick as an experienced goalie behind Shesterkin and he chipped in with 18 regular-season wins in 26 starts.

Hiring Laviolette last year after the Rangers lost to the Devils has benefited enormously. He won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and has had a ton of postseason success after leading the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Nashville Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Final.

“I think two years ago losing in the third round and obviously what happened, you will learn a lot from it,” Rangers forward Alexis Lafrenière said. “We made good moves to get really good players at the deadline and I think we are a complete team.

“To forwards, to D [defensemen] are complete, so that helps a lot.”

Trocheck and the Rangers capitalized in the second OT session after ex-Ranger Brady Skjei was called for cross-checking.

“I don’t know. I’ll watch it and let you know tomorrow,” Trocheck said when asked to describe the winning goal. “Typically when those games go into overtime, double overtime, any team could win those games.”

Tuesday’s game was the longest NHL game of the 2024 postseason.

Rangers left winger Alexis Lafreniere tallied two goals as the Blueshirts took both games on home ice. Artemi Panarin chipped in two assists, including on Chris Kreider‘s power-play goal early in the third period, which tied the game at 3-3.

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped a season-high 54 shots.

“Igor played an Igor-esque type game. He was outstanding, kept us in the game,” Trocheck said. “It’s tough to beat our team when he’s making saves like he was tonight.”

May 8, 2024: 'Check mate!

The Blueshirts won their sixth consecutive postseason game and their eighth going back to the regular season.

Carolina left-winger Jake Guentzel scored two goals and center Sebastian Aho recorded three assists for the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen finished with 35 saves.

After going up 3-0 against the Islanders in the first round, the Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games.

Shesterkin was a big reason the Rangers pushed Game 2 into overtime. Late in the game, the Hurricanes had a short-handed opportunity, but Shesterkin stopped Seth Jarvis‘ shot on a 2-on-1 break. He then used his pad to stop a Jalen Chatfield shot attempt after allowing Aho to rebound the puck.

The Rangers’ Russian netminder is giving up just two goals a game through the first six games of the playoffs.

Although 18 shots were taken in the first overtime period, both Andersen and Shesterkin were stalwarts.

During the final minute of the third period, with the Rangers on a power play, after Skjei was called for a tripping call, ESPN shockingly went to the start of the Avalanche versus Stars game. The network later corrected the mistake after about 20 seconds.

The Hurricanes special teams were the big story during Game 1. Carolina was 0 for 5 on power play chances against the Rangers, and the power play continued to be the Hurricanes’ Achilles heel after going 0 for 5 in Game 2.

Neither team was excellent on special teams during the first 40 minutes. The Rangers and Hurricanes combined 0 for 6 on power plays during the first two periods.

Carolina was its own worst enemy on the power play. Twice, the Hurricanes had a man advantage only to commit a penalty.

Carolina had an early power play chance when Will Cuylle was whistled for goalie interference in the first period (5:16). But just like in the first game of the series, the Hurricanes came away empty-handed.

During the second period, the Hurricanes had a 5-to-4 advantage following Jacob Trouba’s tripping penalty. However, that power play chance was wiped away after Jake Guentzel punched Adam Fox (9:47) in front of the officials and was sent to the penalty box.

Following the penalty, former Rangers and current Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo was caught on ESPN cameras telling Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller, “I’ll fight you anytime.” 

The Rangers capitalized on two of their seven power-play chances including on Kreider’s goal in the third. The other one came on Trocheck’s game winner.

Peter Laviolette’s team has scored eight power-play goals this postseason. That is second to only the Oilers, who have nine.

Like in Game 1, both teams exhibited physical play and found the net in the first period.

With 10:53 elapsed in the opening period, Lafreniere scored the game’s first goal with a wrist shot. Miller and Alex Wennberg helped set up the goal.

Carolina answered back after Guentzel scored his second goal of the playoffs. Then, on a 4-on-4 opportunity with six seconds left in the period, Dmitry Orlov‘s tip on a long shot gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 advantage and their first lead of the series.

The Blueshirts tied the game 2-2 in the second period (7:32) after Fox’s beautiful pass to Lafrenière, who buried the puck in the net for his second goal of the night.

Carolina regained the lead at 3-2 at 18:18 of the second period through Guentzel’s second goal of the night.

At 5:22 into the third period, Orlov was called for tripping. The Rangers capitalized on the penalty, and Kreider scored his third goal of the playoffs on a rebound after Andersen failed to nab the puck.

Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov (undisclosed) was scratched from Tuesday’s game. Max Comtois took his place and took some shots with the fourth line during the pre-game. Tuesday was Comtois’ 2024 postseason debut. Carolina signed Comtois to a one-year contract in March. He previously played for the Chicago Wolves (AHL), recording 28 points in 45 games.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour initially told reporters pre-game that he didn’t anticipate any lineup changes for Game 2. Kuznetsov played in the previous six postseason games for the Hurricanes and has two goals and two assists.

Game 3 of the second-round series will shift to the PNC Arena in Raleigh on Thursday.

With The Associated Press

Zibanejad (four) tied the Rangers’ mark for the longest multi-point streak in the playoffs. Adam Fox (2021-22), Pierre Larouche (1985-86) and Don Maloney (1978-79) also scored in four consecutive games for the Rangers.

Vincent Trocheck also chipped in a goal and an assist. Chris Kreider had two assists as the Rangers won their fifth consecutive playoff game following the sweep of the Capitals last week.

“It’s easy to sit here and talk about it after a win,” Zibanejad said following the game. “You want to get involved, and you score and contribute and help your team, and that’s a good feeling. But it is one game and we have to keep going.”

Shesterkin was fifth in save percentage entering the first game of the series. He continued his strong play by allowing just two goals, and one came on a deflection off a Ranger player’s stick.

With his fifth win of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Shesterkin became the third goaltender in Rangers history — joining Mike Richter and Dave Kerr — to record wins in his first five postseason games. Shesterkin’s play was so strong that after a Jordan Staal breakaway save in the second period, the Ranger fans shouted Igor in support of the 28-year-old.

Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen, who allowed 2.25 goals per game in the playoffs stopped 19 of 23 shots.

Early on, both teams played a physical, fast style on both ends of the ice, which led to six penalties in the first period.

The Rangers’ power play made a big difference early in the game. They converted each of their power-play opportunities in the first period, scoring nine and 14 seconds on their two power-play goals.

Conversely, the Hurricanes were 0 for 2 on the power play chances during the first 20 minutes. Carolina had multiple scoring opportunities in the first period and only scored one goal. The Hurricanes were 0 for 5 on power play opportunities, which was a significant factor in the game.

“I thought we played a pretty good game,”  Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We didn’t execute right and they did. We were just a step off and that was the difference.

“I thought we played pretty hard. Other than that 20 seconds of special teams time, I thought we had a good game.”

During the regular season, the Hurricanes had the second-best power play in the NHL and the top penalty-killing unit. Carolina entered Game 1 10th in penalty kill percentage during this postseason (72.7%). They also were also fifth in power play percentage (33.3%).

“I thought the power play was very good, efficient,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “There are some things we can get better at, but I thought that was definitely a factor.”

It didn’t take long for either team to score their first goal. Just 2:46 into the first period, Jack Roslovic skated around the Hurricanes net and dished a pass to Zibanejad, who scored his second goal this postseason. Fox also was on the assist.

A little more than a minute later, at the 3:48 mark, Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored his first goal of the playoffs on a blast that deflected off the Rangers player’s stick. Sebastian Aho and Jake Guentze assisted on the goal.

At the 9:56 mark, Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo was given a two-minute roughing penalty for hitting Will Cuylle. Six seconds into the Rangers’ power play (10:05), Zibanejad buried his second goal of the game on a play in which everyone on the ice touched the puck, including Kreider and Trocheck, who received assist credits.

With 16:14 into the first period, Hurricanes forward Evgeny Kuznetsov cross-checked Fox in the face. Fourteen seconds later (16:28), Trocheck cleaned up a rebound and scored his fourth goal of the playoffs to put the Rangers up 3-1. He became the 10th player in Rangers history to register a four-game goal streak in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The last player to do so was Zibanejad, who scored three goals in the Game 1 victory against the Capitals.

With the Rangers up 3-1 in the second period, both teams played more wide-open and less physical than the first. However, neither team could find the net after both teams combined to have 17 shots on goals in that period.

Jacob Trouba was sent to the penalty box for cross-checking two minutes into the second period. However, the Hurricanes couldn’t capitalize on the penalty. Carolina received another power play in the second but did not record a single shot on goal during the advantage.

Carolina scored its second goal of the game early in the third period following passes from Jordan Martinook and Dmitry Orlov. That made the score 3-2 Rangers with 17:12 left in regulation.

The Rangers counted and made the game 4-2 with 11:39 left after Artemi Panarin displayed his speed and put a shot in the back of the net against Andersen.

Carolina pulled Andersen for an extra skater at the three-minute mark. With 1:45 left in the game, Carolina’s Seth Jarvis scored his fourth postseason goal to make the game 4-3. But the Rangers were able to hang on for the one-goal victory.

Game 2 against the Hurricanes will be Tuesday night at The Garden at 7 p.m.

“The playoffs for me is completely different,” Laviolette said about the Rangers five-game winning streak. “We are going to have to take a look at what we did right and try to bring that back to the table. Look at what we have to do better and bring that to the table.

“It’s the playoffs. We are going to have to elevate our game.”

Trade deadline pickup Jack Roslovic sealed it with an empty-netter with 51 seconds left, and the Rangers will next face either the Carolina Hurricanes or crosstown-rival New York Islanders with a spot in the Eastern Conference final at stake. Carolina leads that series 3-1.

They’ll get the benefit of some extra rest thanks to Panarin’s goal with 16:39 left in regulation, 11 seconds after T.J. Oshie was penalized for high-sticking Vincent Trocheck, which helped them avoid overtime or this series returning to Madison Square Garden for a Game 5 on Wednesday. The Presidents’ Trophy winners for having the best regular season in the NHL needed just four to vanquish the Capitals and become the first team to advance this spring.

New York moves on thanks to another dominant performance from Trocheck, who was the best player on the ice all series. Trocheck long before drawing the crucial penalty scored on the power play and broke up a scoring chance by Alex Ovechkin, who was held off the scoresheet entirely through four games — the first time that has happened in a single postseason in the Capitals captain’s 15 trips.

But he was not Washington’s only problem, and part of the lack of offense was Shesterkin, who several times sparked chants of “Igor! Igor!” from the many Rangers fans in attendance. He turned aside Dylan Strome 14 seconds after Kaapo Kakko scored in the first minute to put them ahead and later made back-to-back saves on Tom Wilson’s point-blank chances on the doorstep.

Trocheck, Shesterkin and MVP candidate Panarin leading a victory is nothing new, but Kakko contributing made him the 11th New York player to score a goal in the series. That came after Nick Jensen turned the puck over on his first shift back from a two-week injury absence, and Kakko beat Charlie Lindgren for a goal that could boost his confidence after a rough regular season.

Lindgren, who has not lacked self-belief, couldn’t again play the hero despite stopping 19 of the 22 shots he faced. Youngsters Martin Fehervary and Hendrix Lapierre scored for Washington, a significant underdog now able to take solace in making the playoffs as a building block for the future.

By Stephen Whyno

WASHINGTON — Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a short-handed assist, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers moved one win away from advancing by beating the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 3 Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

The Rangers scored goals at even-strength 5 on 5, up 5 on 4 and down 4 on 5 in a special teams showcase from the Presidents’ Trophy winners who finished atop the NHL regular season in part because of their potent power play. Trocheck set up Barclay Goodrow short-handed and scored on the power play, while Chris Kreider tipped the puck in for his franchise-best 42nd career playoff goal.

At the other end of the rink, Shesterkin looked like his 2022 Vezina Trophy-winning self, robbing Max Pacioretty alone in front with a right pad stop and turning away Alex Ovechkin, who remains without a point this postseason. Shesterkin was perfect after allowing John Carlson to score on a fluttering shot just over five minutes in.

A major reason for the Rangers pushing the Capitals to the brink of elimination in Game 4 Sunday night is that they only trailed in this one for 34 seconds until Kreider tied it. Goodrow’s goal put them ahead exactly 2 minutes later, and they led the rest of the way through some choppy play and a handful of penalties called on either side.

Following up on what they did back home at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, the Rangers scored short-handed goals in consecutive playoff games for the first time since April 1990.

Washington, which was trying to keep play 5 on 5 as much as possible to better even out a series New York had the chance to dominate, again failed to do so. Nearly a third of the game (18:31) was special teams, which plays into the Rangers’ favor.

It also made life difficult on goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who despite a handful of crucial stops allowed three goals on 22 shots. Lindgren, who carried the Capitals into the playoffs by shouldering the load down the stretch, has been unable to get into any kind of a rhythm to perform the same heroics and make this a series.

Injuries haven’t helped the Caps, who were again without two of their top four defensemen: Nick Jensen and Rasmus Sandin. They lost another midway through the first period when Trevor van Riemsdyk was hit up high by Rangers rookie Matt Rempe, who could face another disciplinary hearing six weeks after being suspended four games in March for an illegal check to the head.

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A Rangers win in Game 4 would send them to the second round, where they’d face the Carolina Hurricanes barring them collapsing up 3-0 on the New York Islanders.

Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and an assist and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers held on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Jack Roslovic and K’Andre Miller also scored for the Rangers, and Erik Gustafsson and Alexis Lafreniere each had two assists. Igor Shesterkin stopped 22 shots.

New York, seeking its first Stanley Cup championship in 30 years, has won four straight and 12 of its last 15 games. The Rangers, third on the power play during the season, were 2 for 6 with the advantage and scored a short-handed goal.

Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist, and Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome also scored for the Capitals, who had won four of five to close the season and take the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Charlie Lindgren finished with 23 saves.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Friday at Washington.

Washington star left wing Alex Ovechkin had just one shot on goal after the 38-year-old was held without one in Game 1.

With New York leading 4-2, there was some pushing and shoving 6 1/2 minutes into the third period after the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin knocked T.J. Oshie off the puck with a hard hit. The play was reviewed for a major penalty, but none was called. McMichael was instead given a minor for roughing while WiIson skated near the Rangers’ bench and had words with rookie sensation Matt Rempe.

Oshie left the ice for the dressing room, but returned with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

Wilson pulled the Capitals within one with their second power-play goal of the night as he deflected a shot in the air by Hendrix Lapierre past Shesterkin with 8:15 remaining.

The Capitals pulled Lindgren for an extra skater with with 2:48 to go and had several chances, but couldn’t get the equalizer.

The Capitals trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and tied the score with a power-play goal about 30 seconds after Rempe was sent off for roughing. Strome got a pass in front from Wilson and deflected it past Shesterkin at 4:14 of the second for his first career postseason goal. It was the Capitals’ first goal with the man advantage in 17 chances against the Rangers this year.

With a Rangers power play winding down, Roslovic fired a shot from the right circle over Lindgren’s blocker and left shoulder for a 3-2 lead with 7:34 remaining in the middle period.

New York pushed the lead to 4-2 with a short-handed goal with 3:08 left in the second. After a turnover by the Capitals, Zibanejad — working a give-and-go with Kreider on a rush — saw Miller trailing down the middle and sent a pass back to the defenseman, who fired it past Lindgren.

The Capitals came into the game focused on getting more shots on goal. They did that at the start, getting five in the first 2 1/2 minutes. However, they managed just two more the rest of the first period.

McMichael got the Capitals on the scoreboard first at 5:09. Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren knocked the puck away from T.J. Oshie, but it went right to McMichael who quickly put it past Shesterkin from the left side. It was McMichael’s first career playoff goal and Dylan McIlrath got an assist for his career playoff point.

Trocheck tied it for the Rangers at 7:56 on their third shot on goal. After a draw in the right circle, Trocheck deflected a feed from Gustafsson.

With the Rangers on their second power play, Zibanejad fired a shot that went off the glove of Capitals defenseman Alexander Alexeyev and over Lindgren’s glove with 5:32 remaining in the first. It was Zibanejad’s 17th goal in 60 career playoff games.