The Carolina Hurricanes have struggled throughout the season, but they gave the New York Rangers all they wanted in Raleigh Saturday night, but ultimately the Rangers won 3-2 in a shootout.
Carolina got on the board first with a goal from Elias Lindholm, his 16th of the year. Victor Rask and Danny Biega assisted. In the second, the Rangers took the lead on goals by J.T. Miller, his 8th, assisted by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. Jesper Fast got the next goal, assisted by Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin for his 4th. The Rangers took a 2-1 lead into the third, but Ryan Murphy scored his second goal of the year on a power play to tie it at two for the Hurricanes. John Michael-Liles and Jordan Staal got the assists.
In the shootout, the only goal was off the stick of Mats Zuccarello, as Cam Talbot shut out the canes in the shootout.
Both goalies had save percentages over .930 in this game with Talbot at .933 and Anton Khudobin at .931.
At 62 points the Hurricanes are still not officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Rangers continue to chase the Canadiens for the top spot in the east, second with 97 points; just two behind the habs with three games in hand.
Carolina hosts Chicago next on Monday night, while the Rangers face the Ducks on Sunday at MSG in a clash of two of the league’s best teams.