Carolina Hurricanes: Lackluster Canes drubbed by Rangers

Madison Square Garden has been a house of horrors for the Carolina Hurricanes for almost a decade. Sadly, that didn’t change in last night’s 6-2 drubbing by the New York Rangers.

Whatever momentum the Carolina Hurricanes built up during its stretch of seven wins in eight games was left behind when the team flew to New York. Curtis McElhinney gave up a goal on a seemingly innocent slap shot by Tony DeAngelo a mere 76 seconds into the contest, which established an ominous tone.

Saku Maenalanen provided a glimmer of hope eight minutes later when he pounced on a turnover by the Rangers in front of the net and zipped a shot by Henrik Lundquist to even the score. But the Rangers scored twice within the next five minutes, including a power play goal after another avoidable penalty, and took a 3-1 lead after the opening period.

Carolina’s trend of bad penalties continued, as the Rangers scored power play goals in the second and third periods to extend the lead to 5-1. Andrei Svechnikov committed another stick infraction early in the second period, and Dougie Hamilton was called for tripping early in the third period. Keeping the needless penalties down to a minimum is a necessity at this stage of the season, and we’re struggling to do that right now. Maenalenen then scored his second goal midway through the third period, but the Rangers responded with another goal a minute later to quash any thoughts of a comeback.

Curtis McElhinney did not seem sharp from the jump. He misplayed a center ice dump-in that led to New York’s second goal, and was consistently slow to react to the fast-moving Rangers. The defense in front of McElhinney left unmarked skaters in front of the net as well.

The lone bright spot for Carolina was the first two-goal game by Maenalanen, a 24-year-old Finn who was called up Jan. 1 and is making a strong bid for a longer stay. He now has four goals and an assist in eight January games after putting up 14 points in 31 games for the Checkers.

A fifth-round pick by Nashville in 2013, Maenalanen opted not to sign with the Predators and stayed in Finland, where he was once a teammate of Sebastian Aho. His play in the Finnish Elite League garnered interest from NHL teams again, and he signed with Carolina prior to the season.

Since Jan. 5, 2011, the Carolina Hurricanes have lost 16 straight games in Madison Square Garden to the Rangers. It is New York’s longest home winning streak against one opponent. The curse is real and we play there again on Feb. 8 during a crucial five-game road trip that sees the Canes face the Sabres and Devils as well.

The Carolina Hurricanes now have a couple of days to regather their thoughts, as they return to action Friday night against Ottawa for one last home game before a three-game western road swing and the All-Star Game break. The game against the Senators sets up as a must-win for a team that can ill afford to drop home games against teams they should beat.