Recap: Panarin's Four-Goal Night Snaps Canes' Win and Point Streaks

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes' second "half" schedule opened on a sour note Saturday, losing to the New York Rangers by a score of 6-2.

The Story

Combining the excitement of the Canes playing their first home game in 12 days with a sold-out crowd at PNC Arena, the energy and intensity of tonight's contest provided a big-game feel from the opening puck drop.
While Carolina put 10 shots onto Jaroslav Halak in the first 8:12, it was eventually New York claiming the game's first lead on the night's very first power play. Mika Zibanejad roofed home his 16th power play goal of the season on the blocker side of Frederik Andersen, who was making his eighth appearance since returning from injury.
The man advantage marker would hold as the only goal of the first, but in the second, the Canes were able to temporarily shift momentum.
A harmless-looking attempt from Teuvo Teravainen wound up kicking off the skate of Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller and by Halak, to initially bring the game back even.
Then, just 2:53 later, Jesperi Kotkaniemi put back his own second effort to give the home team their first lead of the night.

Also holding New York to just four shots on goal in the middle frame, it appeared that Carolina had control of the contest and would be able to take their 2-1 advantage back to the locker room. Instead, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin took over from there.
Knotting the contest with a goal inside the final three minutes of the second period, he'd then springboard his team in front to start the third too.
And while it was only a one-goal deficit for Carolina for the time being, turnovers wound up spoiling their chance at coming back. Panarin completed his hat trick with 4:01 on the clock, Kaapo Kakko hit the empty net, and then with Andersen back in the net, Panarin earned his fourth goal of the night to close the contest.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amourfollowing the team's defeat...
"We gave up too many odd-man chances. Early [Frederik Andersen] was good, but in the second we only gave up four shots. We played a good second period, but we were 2-2 and we needed to be ahead by a little more there. We gave them the go-ahead goal in the third. There was no real pressure on us and we turned it over. They make you pay, that's what they do."
Jordan Staaloffering his perspective on the loss...
"In the first two periods we created enough and I thought we had control of the game. The stuff we were giving up were Grade-A opportunities. They were either breakaways or two-on-ones, or stuff we can't be doing. In the third we just completely came off our game. We didn't do what we wanted to do and then it got really sloppy and ugly. They're a high-powered team. They look for their chances and they can bury them."
Jesperi Kotkaniemiwhen asked about his offense after recording his fifth point in five games...
"I'm playing a little bigger minutes, so I think the points will come. I'll get a couple bounces here and there, so it's been nice to see that side too."

Bonus Notes

What's Next?

The Canes are scheduled to practice at PNC Arena on Sunday and Monday. They'll return to game action on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. against the Capitals.
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