Preview: Canes at Rangers
Carolina can clinch Metropolitan Division title with a win
When: Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m. EST
Watch:Bally Sports South, Bally Sports App
Listen:99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes App
Canes Record:52-20-8 (112 Points, 1st - Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game:5-2 Win over the New York Islanders on Sunday, April 25.
Rangers Record:51-22-6 (108 Points, 2nd - Metropolitan Division)
Rangers Last Game:3-1 Loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, April 24.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
THE QUICK HITS:
Last Time Out:The Canes Got off to a great start Sunday on Long Island, taking a two-goal lead in the first. Then, in the second, they not only lost their lead, they lost starting goaltender Antti Raanta due to injury as well. In came Pyotr Kochetkov, who, after allowing a goal on his first shot against, shut the door in relief. The 22-year-old rookie made seven stops over the remaining 34 minutes, going on to earn his second NHL win in his second appearance after Max Domi scored the game-winning goal to start the third.
Cardiac Canes:Sunday's victory was the third victory in four days for Carolina, who managed to earn their wins in unique ways each time out. Thursday at home against Winnipeg they trailed 2-0 with one minute to go in the second period of play. Saturday in New Jersey they scored twice in the final 4:36 of regulation to force overtime. As the saying goes, "good teams find ways to win" and that's what the group has done within the past week.
Goaltending Depth Tested: While his status for tonight's game remains unknown, the Raanta situation still warrants a look at the entire landscape of the position within the organization. Frederik Andersen is set to be reevaluated within the next few days after suffering a lower-body injury on Saturday, April 16 in Denver. Alex Lyon, who has led the team's AHL affiliate in Chicago in games played this season, also suffered an injury this month and is currently tabbed as "hopeful to return for playoffs". Eetu Makinemi, who started the season 11-2-1 in Chicago (AHL), went down with an injury in December and has not played since. Beck Warm, who was the next available option after Makiniemi, has not played since February due to injury. So, after Kochetkov, Jack LaFontaine, who signed with the team mid-season while playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, are the only other two healthy and available netminder under contract.
Let The Kid Cook:Rookie Seth Jarvis scored one of Carolina's first period goals on Sunday, moving his current point streak to five games for the first time in his NHL career. It was also the third consecutive game of the streak that has involved a goal.
Power Play Momentum:After starting the month 0-for-17 on the man advantage, Carolina has made strides forward as of late. Scoring in three of their last five, the power play has been pinpointed as something to get right before the playoffs begin next week.
Playing The Full 60:The Canes have a league-best +46 goal differential in the third period thus far this season. Including a 10-1 ratio within the last week alone, the group has proven to never be out of games in the third, while at the same time displaying a killer instinct to put teams away.
500 For Domi:Forward Max Domi will play in his 500th NHL game tonight. Carolina's 2022 Trade Deadline Day acquisition was drafted 12th overall by Phoenix in 2013 and now ten years later has played for a total of four organizations. He played 222 games with Arizona, 153 with Montreal, 107 with Columbus and tonight will be his 18th as a member of the Canes.
A Look At The Other Side:The Rangers fell two points behind Carolina in the division on Saturday after losing to the Boston Bruins, 3-1. Then, the Canes win Sunday on Long Island put them four back. Whether they get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the number one or number two seed from the Metro, the Rangers will be a serious threat to any opponent. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains in the driver's seat to win the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie, currently pacing the league in both save percentage (.936 SV) and goals against average (2.03). However, they're not just a defensive one-trick pony. Their power play ranks third in the league at 26.2% and they have the skater with the third-most goals in the league in Chris Kreider (51).
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Milestones Within Reach: Tonight will be Max Domi's 500th NHL game. Teuvo Teravainen is one goal shy of 100 as a member of the team. Sebastian Aho is one point shy of 400 for his NHL career.
What Are We Wearing?:The Canes will be wearing their white sweaters today.
Worth A Click:
Canes Beat Isles Despite Losing Raanta To Injury
Burnside: Slavin's Story
Hurricanes April Schedule
NHL Standings
