In Manhattan on Tuesday, the New York Rangers’ special teams were in full gear as they killed off three penalties and struck for three goals on their three power play chances in a 6-2 thumping of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mika Zibanejad struck twice and had four points on the night.
Mika Zibanejad had two goals and two assists in Rangers win – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
“If you have to point at one thing tonight that really helped, special teams. Unbelievable. Power play obviously, but also the penalty kill. I can’t tell you how much that helps the team, how much confidence that gives the group when you’re able to cash in on their penalties and also make sure you don’t give up a goal on the PK,” Henrik Lundqvist said after the win.
Pavel Buchnevich and Tony DeAngelo also scored two goals apiece in the win.
Lundqvist made 34 saves including a rally stopper late in the middle frame.
“It felt good to keep it 4-1 going into the third, not giving them any confidence or energy,” Lundqvist said.
The Rangers improved to 19-20-7 and erased the stink of their previous loss in Columbus.
“We had played three good games before the debacle in Columbus and I think we built off that,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “We moved past what happened in Columbus. The guys took ownership of it and righted a wrong.”
Saku Maenalanen had both goals for the Canes.
“I don’t think we had enough guys emotionally invested,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It was a little flat and the special teams just killed us. Once we got behind the eight ball it was tough to get rolling. We need a little more from some guys and we just didn’t have it tonight.”
Carolina dropped to 22-19-5.
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Rangers highlights]
Curtis McElhinney made 22 saves in the loss.
“Opportunities are there for us every night and to not come through with the two points that we wanted, that we came here to get, yeah, it’s disappointing, it stinks,” Carolina captain Justin Williams said. “We don’t have the luxury of having those games certainly with where we’re at.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.