The New York Rangers took a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-3 win on double overtime, and there was not a better performance in the game than Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, who got recognized by the crowd multiple times, which he appreciated.
“It's an unbelievable feeling every time… every time. I was almost crying,” Igor Shesterkin said, via Spittin' Chiclets on X.
Shesterkin lived up to his reputation in Game 2, saving 54 of the 57 shots he faced for a .947 save percentage, making many crucial saves on great scoring chances late in regulation and throughout the overtime periods. Eventually, the Rangers got a power play opportunity in double overtime, and Vincent Trocheck took advantage, poking one home to give New York the win. Shesterkin understood the importance of the win.
“I just know if your team scores, you get lots of power right away, and MSG was electric tonight, so, so happy to win tonight,” Shesterkin said, via Spittin' Chiclets.
The Rangers fought back from deficits twice. Alexis Lafreniere got the scoring started in the first period to give New York a 1-0 lead, but the Hurricanes responded with two goals to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Alexis Lafreniere scored again in the second to tie it at 2-2, but Carolina responded with another late-period goal to go into the second intermission with a 3-2 lead. The Rangers tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Chris Kreider, and the score stayed that way until Trocheck won it in double overtime. Shesterkin spoke to the team's resiliency to fight back each time it fell behind.
“We never give up,” Shesterkin said, via Spittin' Chiclets. “So we play till the end. Everybody plays our game, and so we deserved that win tonight.”
The Hurricanes did outshoot the Rangers 57-39, but when looking at advanced metrics, the high-danger opportunities were more equal. When looking at special teams, it is clear what is making the difference in this series.
Special teams making the difference for the Rangers
Coming into this series, the Rangers were underdogs when looking at the betting odds due to the Hurricanes' strength when it comes to five-on-five. However, the Rangers' recipe that has worked all year has continued to work in the first two games of this series. New York is good enough from a five-on-five standpoint, although not great, but has a stark advantage with special teams.
So far in this series, the Rangers are 4-for-9 on power play opportunities, capitalizing on both chances in Game 1, and going 2-for-7 in Game 2. The Hurricanes have been shut down by the Rangers' penalty kill, going 0-for-10 in the first two games. It seems unlikely that Carolina will be held without a power play goal in this series, but New York's penalty kill has been great so far, and having Shesterkin as the backbone makes it even harder to score.
Vincent Trocheck's goal puts the Rangers in control of the series as it heads to Carolina for games three and four on Thursday and Saturday. If New York can win one of the two games on the road, it would be huge for its chances of advancing to the Eastern Conference Final.
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