The statistics on the eve of the seventh match of the NHL Eastern Conference playoff semi-final between the Carolinas and the Rangers did not speak in favor of the latter.
Yes, since 1992 they have won ten key battles out of 12, but the problem was that the Hurricanes never lost in the Stanley Cup playoffs (6-0) at all and closed the confrontation on their site, where in the current no one managed to upset them in the tournament draw (7-0).
But the wards of Gerard Gallan had fresh memories of a strong-willed victory over Pittsburgh at the previous stage, and they were eager to repeat the success no less than the hosts.
Already in the debut of the match, the hosts earned a removal: Sebastian Aho broke the rules on Andrew Koppe.
The Rangers were not immediately able to take advantage of the opportunity, and only two seconds before the end of the penalty time, Adam Fox hit the Carolina goal with a wrist throw.
He also participated in the second goal of the guests, which also happened in the majority.
In the eighth minute, the defender gave the pass to Mika Zibanejad, he "shot" in touch, and Chris Kreider managed to correct the trajectory of the puck flying past the gate at high speed.
The Hurricanes, dumbfounded by the unsuccessful start, quickly came to their senses and began to storm the possessions of Igor Shesterkin in the hope of at least closing the gap, but the Russian worked wonders that evening at the last frontier.
Only for the starting game segment, he repelled 16 shots, maintaining a comfortable advantage for his team.
What is worth only a phenomenal save after the throw of Teuvo Teräväinen!
An important role in the victory of the New Yorkers was played by injuries in the opponent's camp.
First, striker Seth Jarvis was out of action after a hard hit by Rangers defenseman Jacob Truba.
The Canadian was able to leave the ice only with the help of partners and did not return to the game.
And at the end of the second period, the hosts also lost their goalkeeper.
In one of the moments, Antti Raanta made a sharp lunge to the right towards Zibanejad, and after a few seconds he collapsed on the ice.
Finn also needed help getting off the ice.
He was replaced by Pyotr Kochetkov.
But he didn’t manage to stay dry and help his partners organize a comeback - after 43 seconds of playing time, a red light came on behind his goal.
Ryan Strom converted a two-for-one after a blind pass from Artemy Panarin from his zone.
At the beginning of the third period, Kreider scored again.
He rushed down the left flank at crazy speed and hit the target with an awkward hand, despite a desperate attempt by Jacob Slavin to stop him.
However, "Carolina" did not give up until the last.
At the 49th minute of the meeting, Vincent Trochek gave hope to the crowded PNC-Arena stands by converting the majority.
But it took less than a minute for the Rangers to respond through the efforts of Philip Chytil, and after this puck it became clear that the hosts could not save the match.
Disappointed fans even began to disperse without waiting for the final siren.
Towards the end of the game, the teams exchanged goals, which could no longer affect anything, except perhaps for Shesterkin's statistics.
The Russian phenomenon managed to repel 37 shots out of 39 in the match and was deservedly recognized as the first star of the meeting.
For the 26-year-old Moscow native, the victory was his second in a playoff decider for the Rangers, and he is now second in club history, tied with Mike Richter.
Only Henrik Lundqvist has more, who triumphed six times in such meetings.
The head coach of the New Yorkers after the match did not skimp on compliments to the Russian goalkeeper.
“He does it all year round.
Nothing surprises me anymore.
He made some great saves in key moments in the first period.
He played amazingly and allowed us to maintain a two-goal lead, ”Gallan said at a press conference.
Igor himself noted that before the start of the match he was a little nervous, but managed to cope with his emotions.
“We quickly scored two goals, and it helped me a lot.
Before the game, I was a little worried, but when I went on the ice, I tried to forget about everything and focus on the puck, ”the Russian shared his emotions.
Thanks to this victory, the Rangers became the fourth team in the history of the NHL, which managed to win at least twice in the same playoff series, losing 0-2 or 1-3 along its course.
At the previous stage, their confrontation with Pittsburgh developed according to the same scenario.
In the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup, Gallan's wards will play with Tampa.
Hockey fans are waiting for a mega confrontation between two Russian goalkeepers - Igor Shesterkin and Andrey Vasilevsky.
Even former Rangers goaltender Lundqvist is in anticipation.
“Igor against Vasilevsky, go crazy.
This is a real holiday for all fans of goalkeepers.
It should be interesting, ”the Swede wrote on Twitter.
Shesterkin, with his characteristic modesty, noted that his team will have to confront one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment.
“I think it will be an interesting fight.
We will do everything in our power to score against him, ”Igor promised.