Rangers powerhouse storm – two goals, 23 seconds. Ideal, Laviolette smiled

The first game of the series between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes offered a great serve. In the end, the Rangers players were satisfied, mainly with three goals in the opening period. Two of them fell in the power play, which proved to be a big weapon again.

Two power plays, two shots, two goals. First, Mika Zibanejad needed nine seconds to turn the score to 2:1, a few minutes later Vincent Trocheck prevailed after fourteen seconds.

“Efficient,” was the word Rangers coach Peter Laviolette used.

This is a weapon that Riders simply know how to use. In the regular season, the Rangers finished third in the league with a 26.4% success rate. And in the playoffs, they screw up the success rate to incredible heights, so far the balance is “eight out of eighteen”, i.e. 44.4%.

“We were doing our jobs,” Zibanejad shrugged. “They’re great at breaking down, but today we went exactly as planned. It’s something we’ll have to continue to do if we want to be successful against these teams.”

It was the special formations that made the decision on Sunday. In the regular season, Carolina had the best weakness in the league, but Ranges was not noticed. And to make matters worse, she had five of her powers and didn’t use a single one.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said the puck movement on the Rangers power play was faster than they had ever seen.

“I think our breakdown is based on pressure. To get out of it as an opponent, you have to make three or four great passes, and that’s what they did,” he said. “They made some good plays, but we’re going to adapt, find ways to push more at the right times and in the right places and make sure we can do a better job of that.”

“A lot of things happened there, but the first game in the new round, the crowd… I wouldn’t make a science out of it,” remarked Sebastian Aho.

However, the Rangers showed a great team performance. All components of the game worked. From the five-on-five game to overpowering and weakening to the performances of the stars, including the reliable goalkeeper Igor Šesterkin. The result is five wins from five games in the playoffs.

“We have to go and give,” commands Zibanejad.

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