The New York Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead as they played probably their best period of the season. Midway through the second period, an ill-advised penalty resulted in a goal for Carolina and it became a nailbiter. Henrik Lundqvist made 41 saves and was the single reason the Blueshirts won.
There was a lot to like about the Rangers’ effort. They took it to one of the better teams in the NHL and were dominant. Then came the bugaboo that haunted them last season, the too many men on the ice penalty. The Hurricanes knotted two quick goals and it was Lundqvist and a prayer for the rest of the game.