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The Carolina Hurricanes remain without defenseman Brett Pesce as they prepare for another elimination contest; this time, Game 6 against the New York Rangers at PNC Arena on Thursday night. After falling into an early 0-3 hole, the Canes have bounced back with two consecutive wins and will have an opportunity in front of a raucous home crowd in Raleigh to send the series back to Madison Square Garden for a do-or-die Game 7.
And although Pesce joined his teammates at practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury in Game 2 of Round 1 against the New York Islanders, he still isn't trending towards being an option at all in the series.
“Yeah, it was good to see him out there for the first time,” Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the skate, according to NHL.com's Shawn P. Roarke. “I don’t think his status has changed.”
It's no surprise that Pesce will be held out for Game 6, but him being back on the ice is a step in the right direction for the 29-year-old, who has been a key part of the Hurricanes' defensive core over the last few seasons. While mostly known for his defensive impact, he registered three goals and 13 points over 70 regular-season games, adding another assist in two playoff games.
Tony DeAngelo has been replacing Pesce in the lineup, and will likely continue to do so in a building he is not very popular in. Pesce skated on the fourth pairing at practice on Wednesday, joining rookie Dylan Coghlan.
If the Canes are able to force a Game 7, there is a chance he will be able to suit up. But if Carolina can find a way to reverse sweep New York, it's almost certain he'll be back at some point during the Eastern Conference Final.
Hurricanes halfway to reverse sweep of Rangers
Only five teams in National Hockey League history have come back from 3-0 deficit to win the series, and it hasn't happened since the Los Angeles Kings achieved the remarkable feat against the San Jose Sharks in Round 1 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A decade ago, the Kings erased a 3-0 lead, won Game 7, and went on to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The team hasn't won a playoff round since.
The Hurricanes have won quite a few rounds over the last few seasons, but have been unable to get over the hump that is the Eastern Conference Final. In three appearances since 2009, the Canes have won zero games, being swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, Boston Bruins in 2019 and Florida Panthers in 2023.
After falling down 3-0 to the President's Trophy-winning Rangers, it looked like the Hurricanes wouldn't even get an opportunity in another ECF. But after two consecutive wins — and home ice beckoning on Thursday night — this is looking like a completely different series.
A monumental Game 6 between the two Metropolitan Division behemoths awaits, as the Rangers look to advance to the Final Four and the Hurricanes try to extend their season for 48 more hours.
