The first round of the National Hockey League playoffs did not end yet league (NHL), as the second one started. The opening of the quarterfinals of the 2024 Stanley Cup was marked by one of the most high-profile pairings of the current tournament – the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes. Both teams (especially Carolina) are considered the main favorites for the championship.
In the first round, the Blueshirts confidently dealt with the Washington Capitals (4-0) and swept Alexander Ovechkin’s team, while the Hurricanes dealt with another club from New York, the Islanders (4-1). Unfortunately for many, the two best gangs in the East had to meet before the conference finals. The teams played at the same stage two years ago, when for the first time in history (except for the play-in of the 2019/20 season) they faced each other in the playoffs. Two years ago, the Rangers won seven games in the series.
The hero of that confrontation was Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers' Swedish forward is making his presence known in this playoff run as well. He immediately began to churn out points in the new confrontation against Carolina.
Already in the first period, the Swede scored three goals, scoring a double and an assist. The Hurricanes had only been able to respond once at this point, but they created unnecessary problems for themselves. The Hurricanes quickly equalized the score in the fourth minute, but subsequently suffered two unnecessary penalties and were instantly punished for it. In this regard, Evgeny Kuznetsov also “distinguished himself”, who did not show his emotions in the best way.
In the second period, the teams evened out the game. In some episodes, the Kanes were even better, but they frankly didn’t take advantage of their chances. This is especially true for the power play: Rod Brindamore's team had two attempts to convert the extra one, but both were unsuccessful. In the third 20 minutes, the opponents continued exchanging goals. What is obvious is that the initiative was finally seized by the Hurricanes, who rushed for a comeback with the participation of Dmitry Orlov. But the salvation of “Carolina” was not destined to happen – Artemiy Panarin came to the fore.
Even after the series with Washington, the Russian Rangers scorer noted the importance of converting chances and the need to improve the game of the entire team in a number of components, because from now on the level of the opponents is much higher. And so far Artemy proves everything not with words, but with deeds.
It was Khlebushka's goal in the middle of the third period that turned out to be victorious for the Rangers. The Russian did not invent anything in the simplest moment and decided everything on his own, although everyone would have clearly expected some intricate and even risky pass from the former Panarin. But this season Artemy has demonstrated the quality of his shot and his focus on the opponent’s goal.
The goal against Carolina brought the Russian the 4th scoring point in the current Stanley Cup. Taking into account the regular season, Panarin scored 124 points. According to this indicator, Artemy caught up with Jaromir Jagr and repeated the club record for performance in the regular season and playoffs. Next is only the first place in the history of the franchise. However, Panarin himself is striving for another first place. The Russian is determined to take the Stanley Cup this year. And so far his team is among the favorites for the main trophy in the NHL.
““I feel pressure on the whole team. We must win the Stanley Cup. This is not only personal pressure on me alone,” Artemy said before the start of the play- off.
Nothing has changed since then. The Rangers are unbeaten in this Stanley Cup run. Having won all five matches from the start of the playoffs, the Blueshirts repeated the result of 1994. Then they won their last championship to date.
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