Storm brewing as Rangers take on Hurricanes in Game 1 of Round 2

The New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes will renew acquaintances after a tight race for the Metropolitan Division and Presidents’ Trophy. By edging out Carolina 114 to 111 points in the regular-season, it gives the Blueshirts home ice advantage in this Eastern Conference Second Round matchup that opens Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

These two combatants are also familiar foes, with the Rangers needing all seven grueling games to edge out the Hurricanes back in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“I think it should be a good series,” head coach Peter Laviolette said on Saturday . “I think we’ve proven what we can do, and they’ve proven what they can do. Here we are.”

On the health front, Rangers defenseman Adam Fox returned to practice on Saturday after missing the entire week due to maintenance. Meanwhile, Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce, who was injured in Round 1 against the New York Islanders, will miss the first two games of this series and is questionable.

Here’s today’s game and broadcast info:

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes (GAME 1)
Date/Time: May 5, 2024 @ 4:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Series: 0-0

Note: Subject to change, updated for each game

Related: Capitals find out what happens when you push around Panarin

New York Rangers projected lineup

Here’s the expected lineup:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Roslovic
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Wennberg – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox
Gustafsson – Trouba
Miller – Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

Note: The Rangers will not hold a morning skate. Coach Peter Laviolette will address the media at 1:30 PM ET. Check back here for updates.

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes (Round 2)

Rangers leading playoff scorers:

Goals – Trocheck (3)
Assists – Zibanejad (6)
Points – Zibanejad (7)

Rangers playoff goalie stats:

Igor Shesterkin: 4-0, 1.75 GAA, .931 SV%

Notes:

This is the third time the Rangers have played the Hurricanes in the playoffs with a 1-1 series record (lost 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers), but this is the just the second time in a best-of-7 series.

New York was 2-1-0 against Carolina during the regular season. Chris Kreider led the team with three points (two goals, one assist). The Rangers are 5-2-0 in their last seven against the Hurricanes.

The Rangers are 11-3 in their last 14 home playoff games and are 21-8 all-time in Game 1s at home. They also became just the sixth Presidents’ Trophy winner to sweep their first-round opponent.

Matt Rempe became the first Rangers’ player to score a goal in his NHL Playoffs debut since defenseman Matt Gilroy scored in Game 1 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals against the Capitals.

Upcoming Rangers Milestones

• Chris Kreider needs 1 point to surpass Rod Gilbert (67) for sole possession of third in Rangers’ playoff scoring history

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More must-reads:

• Rangers look to keep momentum against Hurricanes in Game 2
• Rangers win Game 1 thriller, defeat Hurricanes 4-3
• Rangers finish off 1st-round sweep with 4-2 win against Capitals