Game 3: Bring Out the Brooms
Needing a boost to stave off elimination, the Rangers turned the net over to Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers' fourth-round pick in 2014 saw his first action during the regular season, going 10-2-0 in 12 starts with a .932 save percentage. One of those wins came in a 5-2 New York victory over the Canes at PNC Arena in February, the night before the David Ayres Game.
The Canes also made a change in the net, sending James Reimer out to give Petr Mrazek a break as they looked to get both goalies going in the bubble. Reimer was making his first start since the Ayres Game in Toronto after getting some action during the warm-up game against the Capitals. It was also his first postseason start since 2013 when Reimer and the Maple Leafs blew a 4-1 lead to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the first round.
For the first time in the series, the Rangers struck first. After a scoreless first period, Chris Kreider broke the stalemate 12 seconds into the second by finding a seam through the defense before sliding one past Reimer. The Canes' response was swift. Sebastian Aho's well-timed stick lift allowed the puck to find Teuvo Teravainen, who backhanded his shot past Shesterkin to tie the game three minutes later.
Reimer stood on his head the rest of the way. The game's defining sequence came late in the second period, beginning with Reimer denying Brendan Lemieux's breakaway chance. After a scramble in the crease, the Rangers maintained possession of the puck. Seconds later, Reimer made a paddle stop on Filip Chytil with the net open to keep the game tied. Even the Rangers' television team was stunned.
In the third period, the Hurricanes got the job done. Known playoff performer Warren Foegele scored the series-clinching goal early in the third period, redirecting Brady Skjei's shot from the point. Sebastian Aho provided the dagger midway through the period by embarrassing Jacob Trouba and Tony DeAngelo. Aho's pressure forced Trouba to fumble the puck before he walked DeAngelo and buried his backhander. Aho added the empty netter in the closing seconds to ice it for good, sending the Canes to the first round with a 4-1 victory.