NHL Playoffs: Rangers must show some urgency to defeat Hurricanes in game two

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“Slow.” That’s the word David Quinn used when describing the Rangers in game one against the Hurricanes. The coach is expecting his charges and in particular his special teams to play with more urgency today. There’s little room for error in a five game series. Today at 12:00 PM, New York is already in a must win situation.

Rangers projected lineup versus the Hurricanes for game two

Igor Shesterkin getting ready (USATSI)

Jesper Fast has already been ruled out for game two after being unexpectedly rocked by a Brady Skjei hit in game one. As of now, No official lineup has been released, but yesterday both AHL veteran, Steven Fogarty and rookie, Vitali Kravtsov practiced with the team.

My expectation is for Fogarty to be inserted on the fourth line and have Julien Gauthier move up to play with Chytil on the third line. That means Kaapo Kakko should be getting a well earned promotion. Expect him on the second line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.

In goal, there is no word if Igor Shesterkin’s “issue” is any better to play in game two. As of right now, expect Henrik Lundqvist to get the start. He stopped 34 of 37 shots, many of which were high quality.

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NYR vs CAR: Pre-game notes

  • Entering the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers, the Rangers have split the first two games in five of their last six playoff series, dating back to the start of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
  • The Rangers have won eight of the last 12 playoff games they have played when trailing in a series, dating back to Game 5 of the Second Round against Washington in 2015.
  • During the regular season in 2019-20, New York posted a 20-8-0 record in its final 28 games which followed a loss, including an 8-3-0 record in the game following its final 11 losses.
  • The Blueshirts have earned at least one win in each of their last 21 playoff series, dating back to the start of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers’ active streak of 21 consecutive playoff series with at least one win is the longest in franchise history.

Notes: Courtesy of NYR PR Dept.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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