This was a game I don’t ever want to talk about again. Perfectly imperfect. Everything went wrong in this one. The offense couldn’t get their grade-A chances to go in despite having 50 shots, the goaltending allowed 5 on 25 shots, and the defense just couldn’t keep up with the speed of the Rangers. Now, there is a winner take all game 7 again but we’re not here to talk about that yet.
Game six highlighted a lot of the issues that the team still has. Let’s start with the newest addition to this list. Goaltending. Antti Raanta had been the most consistent Hurricane of the postseason heading into this game, but an early couple of leaky goals really forced the Canes behind the eight-ball in this one. From that point on, the uphill fight felt like mission impossible. This isn’t Raanta’s fault, but Father Finn didn’t help.
With the Hurricanes’ offense in this one, they were in this game. This was far from a bad display in the offensive zone, but they failed to solve the talented Rangers netminder time and again, and in the end, it cost them this game. You can win a game with a leaky goaltending performance if your offense can score enough. Carolina just didn’t do that and now they’re going to be going to another game seven.
0-6 on the road through two playoff rounds is a major red flag. Yes, they have that incredible home record, but that doesn’t mean anything because there’s going to come a time when they cannot solve their issues just by holding home ice. Eventually, the Hurricanes are going to have to win a game away from PNC Arena in the playoffs. It’s been something they haven’t done in a long time. But for now, game seven awaits the teams as they return to the City of Oaks.