Recap: Raanta Shuts Out Rangers, Canes Take 2-0 Series Lead

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes extended their perfect postseason at PNC Arena Friday, taking a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers in Game Two.

Three Things

1) A Clean Sheet For Raanta
Canes netminder Antti Raanta was tasked with just 21 shots over the course of 60 minutes, but he was up to par on each one.
Per
NaturalStatTrick.com
, the Rangers only had four high-danger chances, unable to produce any wildly dangerous opportunities. Despite having four power play opportunities, including 1:10 of two-man advantage time at one point, they were unable to permeate the multiple players standing in their way of the back of the net - Carolina's stout shot blocking and the impenetrable Raanta.
The victory is was not only Raanta's first career postseason shutout, it was also Raanta's fifth win of the 2022 postseason. He has allowed two goals or fewer in all five.
2) A Shorty For Smitty
The game-opening goal came during the second period, a shorthanded tally for defenseman Brendan Smith.
Smith was alert in jumping up in the play after Teuvo Teravainen sprung Sebastian Aho with a chip off the glass in their own end. Aho worked in and put a perfectly placed pass between the legs of Adam Fox, right onto the tape of Smith for the slam dunk.
It was just the second time in team history a defenseman recorded a shorthanded goal in the playoffs, the first time since 2006.

3) Shut It Down
Carolina set the tone defensively from the start, blocking 11 shots during the first period alone. When all was said and done, the team finished with 24.
Brett Pesce led the way with five, heading a defensive unit that combined for 17 of the 24.
The team was an added layer of frustration for New York's offense, who had difficulties even getting shots by Carolina's skaters before they could make their way onto Raanta.

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They Said It

Rod Brind'Amouroffering his efforts on the way his team won tonight's contest...
"I'll take a win any way we can, this time of year. It was a team effort and we stuck to it. We did what we had to do to get the win and everyone contributed to that. That's a positive, for sure."
Brendan Smithwalking reporters through his tally...
"We did a good job on the [blue] line so they weren't able to break in cleanly. Then Turbo got to the puck first and he makes great plays. He chipped it into space and he got Fishy moving. I just tried to get going and find the lane and Fishy is an elite passer. He put it right on the money. I can't take too much credit for it, but it was a good read by a lot of players."
Antti Raantaon the support from the fans inside PNC Arena...
"It's a lot of fun, obviously. These are the games you always dream to play in. You always hope to get these games and get good results. Now you're there and when you're winning, the fans have been unbelievable here. When you're going to the game the fans are yelling and making noise. During the game they give us a lot of energy, when we're down or killing penalties. It's special. It's something that you're never going to forget. You just try and enjoy every second of it. When you get older you're probably going to remember these things, for sure."

What's Next?

The Canes are scheduled to hold a limited practice before flying to New York Saturday afternoon.

Bonus Notes

Worth A Click:
Slavin Named Lady Byng Trophy Finalist
Round Two Schedule
Round Two Tickets On Sale Now
Round Two Watch Party Info
Series Preview: Second Round vs. New York
CanesCast Episode 211: Round Two
Mailbag #27: Round One Winners
Canes 2022 Playoffs Merch