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Carolina Hurricane: 3 Keys To Taking A Two Game Lead vs The Rangers

By Jackson Villanova

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a short-handed goal by Martin Necas #88 (not shown) against Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers at 10:51 of the third period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 1, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a short-handed goal by Martin Necas #88 (not shown) against Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers at 10:51 of the third period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 1, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images) /
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Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)
Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images) /

The Right Man For the Net

The Carolina Hurricanes have a choice to make in the net.

One thing is for sure whoever starts in net, MUST be on their A-game, especially to lead a back to back that can end the series. While the Rangers ranked only 22nd out of 31 NHL teams in goals for during the 2019-2020 NHL regular season, they still have a TON of weapons at their arsenal.

Artemi Panarin, the Rangers star player has produced 9 points alone in his 4 games against Carolina this season. Keep in mind that the Rangers are also 4-0 against the Canes in the regular season. Panarin also has 95 points in just 69 games played during the regular season.

Panarin isn’t alone in his dominance against the Hurricanes this season. Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers second-leading scorer has produced 7 points in just 3 games against Carolina this season. Zibanejad also has 75 points (41 goals!!!) in just 57 games played this year.

Now to keep the theme going, the Hurricanes also have to worry about rising star defender Adam Fox. Does the name sound familiar? Well, if you have kept up with the Hurricanes then you will know that Fox, once upon a time was apart of the Carolina Hurricanes organization but essentially forced a trade to New York.

This is really unfortunate for Carolina because Fox is looking to be like an absolute stud! In 70 games this year as a rookie, Fox has put up 42 points which rank 7th on the team and he also ranks 2nd on the team in blocks with 92. Fox also has the peculiar ability to hold the puck away from opponents and speed the puck up ice in a flash.

The point is the Canes have a lot to handle with a top-heavy Rangers offense and whoever is in goal for the Canes is going to have a tough night keeping the puck out of the net. Mrazek did a good job in game 1 and should get the nod for game 2 however, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rod wanted to shake things up and give Reimer a chance to see if he can continue to hold down the fort for the Hurricanes.

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