Shesterkin steals game three as Canes fall in New York

Igor Shesterkin made 41 saves as the Rangers steal game three when the Hurricanes attempted to beat the doors down. This was a game that the Hurricanes could have won if the Hurricanes had been a little bit more clinical with the chances they were getting. It’s been a long time since we had seen a vintage Canes performance where they make a goaltender look fantastic, but this is one where they can be forgiven.

Now, the series is on with the Rangers getting game three. Carolina still leads this series 2-1 but the Rangers now have themselves back in this series as the Hurricanes struggled to get the puck behind Sheterkin once again, but they’ve shown signs of growing into this series. There’s a lot to take away from this game that was good for Carolina. However, they still couldn’t solve the Rangers Vezina winner.

Carolina’s special teams are struggling and they couldn’t hold off the Rangers’ powerplay in this one. It’s becoming an issue with the league’s best penalty kill couldn’t fend off one of the best power plays in the NHL. New YorK’s powerplay is going to be a weapon for that team throughout this series. If the Hurricanes are indeed going to get through this series, they need to shut down that Rangers powerplay.

With the other narrative coming from this game being Carolina’s inability to win on the road, the team needs to figure out a way to win at MSG. Going seven again is not ideal, but winning at home would get them through. However, the Canes cannot depend on their home ice dominance to progress through these playoffs. At some point, they will need to win away from PNC Arena and Madison Square Garden is one of the best places to start winning in the playoffs.