(New York) Filip Chytil scored two quick second-period goals to guide the New York Rangers to a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.
Posted at 11:01 p.m.
Chytil gave his side a 3-0 lead with his first goal in five games and less than two minutes after the Hurricanes pulled one back he hit the target to send the visitors into the wires.
This victory allowed the Rangers to force the holding of an ultimate confrontation, which will be held Monday evening in North Carolina. Since the start of the series, both teams have won in front of their fans.
Tyler Motte, Mika Zibanejad, for a fourth game in a row, and Artemi Panarin also moved the ropes for the New York troupe, who will play a second ultimate game in 15 days. Adam Fox prepared two goals for his own.
Igor Shesterkin set the tone for this Rangers win by closing the door in the first period and allowing his offense to establish its rhythm. He made 15 of his 37 saves in the first 20 minutes of play.
Brady Skjei had a goal and an assist as Vincent Trocheck threaded the needle once for the Hurricanes, who have yet to win on the road in the playoffs.
Antti Raanta started the game for the Hurricanes, but head coach Rod Brind’Amour released the hook after he allowed three goals on just 13 shots. In relief, rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov blocked 10 of the 12 pucks he faced.
It was the fourth line that got the ball rolling for Rangers at 7:22 into the first period. After Gerard Gallant’s men held off a Hurricanes attack, Motte grabbed the puck in his crease and crossed the neutral zone before using Skjei as a screen to open the scoring.
Rangers doubled their lead just 2:29 later on a power play. Zibanejad entered with the puck in the enemy zone and he got rid of Skjei before surprising Raanta with a low shot that the goalkeeper would have liked to see again.
From the fourth minute of the second period, Chytil redeemed himself for his missed opportunity during a two-on-one climb. During an overplay, he kept possession of the puck and fired a precise shot into the top of the net.
A minute and 41 seconds later, Skjei eluded the vigilance of Shesterkin, who was blinded, but Chytil restored a three-goal lead to his side. The Czech took the contact from defender Brendan Smith and fired a superb backhand shot that lodged in the top corner.
Before the end of the second period, Trocheck worked well near the net and jumped on a rebound to close the gap to 4-2. Panarin, however, closed the books at 7: 43 of the third period, during a double numerical superiority.