1) A Suffocating Defensive Effort
For the third game of the series at PNC Arena, the Canes held New York to one goal or less. Tonight's effort may have been the strongest, defensively, though.
The Rangers were held to just 17 total shots over 60 minutes of play, the fewest shots allowed in a single game by Carolina thus far in the postseason. In fact, it was just two off of matching the franchise record for fewest in a single game (15 - 6/1/21 vs. Tampa).
New York's only goal of the night came six seconds into their second man advantage of the night, but outside of that, Antti Raanta was perfect as the last line of defense.
2) Winning The Special Teams Battle
The Canes entered Thursday night 0-for-9 on the power play thus far this series. Under much examination, it wound up being the other half of their special teams that got the evening's scoring started.
Vincent Trocheck put home a beautiful saucer pass on a two-on-one from Jordan Staal to start the night, the second shorthanded goal in four games for the team.
The goal wound up being a necessary cushion, as mentioned above, New York would score a first period power play goal of their own under five minutes later.
However, Carolina's man advantage came through at a pivotal juncture, cashing in on their opening effort during the second period.
Execution, the biggest knock on the units as of late, was present, as Teuvo Teravainen deposited a seam feed from Seth Jarvis, reclaiming the Canes lead.
