Rangers looking forward to challenge of Game 6 in Carolina

The New York Rangers would’ve loved to close out the Carolina Hurricanes in either Game 4 or 5, but getting that last win of this series has eluded them. On Thursday in Raleigh, they will have another chance to get the job done and end this Eastern Conference Second Round battle.

“As players, as people, as leaders, we’ve built something here,” captain Jacob Trouba stated . “The chemistry, and belief we have in each other. All that we’ve done in the past, this is why we did it. For this situation, and we’ve got to bring it.”

Meanwhile, the Rangers’ lineup is in a potential state of flux with Chris Kreider unable to practice on Wednesday. Although the team called it a “maintenance day,” coach Peter Laviolette planted a seed of doubt when talking with reporters.

“I’m hoping that today was just a normal playoff maintenance,” Laviolette said .

On the flip side, the Hurricanes could be getting a key defenseman back from injury in Brett Pesce. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, deployed some of his own gamesmanship when talking about the possibility of a Pesce return for Game 6.

“Definitely. You could. I’m not sure you would, but you definitely could,” Brind’Amour said Wednesday.

Regardless of who is in the lineup, the Blueshirts’ stars need to shine, especially on the power play which hasn’t scored since Game 2 of this series. It may very well be the key factor that decides whether or not they can avoid a Game 7.

“They’ve been a little less aggressive than they normally are,” Vincent Trocheck explained about Carolina’s penalty kill. “I don’t know if that’s making it more difficult on us … Their penalty kill has been one of the best in the League for the last three years … We know we have to help our team win the game. Power play is going to be huge … it’s time for it to get back to the way we were.”

Here’s today’s game and broadcast info:

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes (GAME 6)
Date/Time: May 16, 2024 @ 7:00 PM ET
Arena: PNC Arena
TV: TNT
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Series: 3-2 NYR

Note: Subject to change, updated for each game

Related: Rangers starting to feel a sense of desperation

New York Rangers projected lineup

Here’s the expected lineup:

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

Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

Note: The Rangers will hold a morning skate (11:30 AM E.T.) at PNC Arena. Head coach Peter Laviolette will address the media around that time. Check back here for updates.

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes (Round 2)

Rangers leading playoff scorers:

Goals – Trocheck (5)
Assists – Zibanejad (10)
Points – Zibanejad (13)

Rangers playoff goalie stats:

Igor Shesterkin: 7-1, 2.33 GAA, .924 SV%

Notes:

This is the third time the Rangers have played the Hurricanes in the playoffs. They have a 1-1 series record, losing the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers and winning in the second round in 2022. This is the second time the teams have played a best-of-7 series.

The Rangers are 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.

Including the regular season and playoffs, when the Rangers score four or more goals in a game, they are 39-0-1.

New York tied a franchise record set in 1994 winning seven straight games to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Rangers are 24-22 all-time in Game 6s.

Upcoming Milestones

• The next Rangers playoff shutout will be the first since Henrik Lundqvist beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 on 4/12/17 (R1, G1).

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More must-reads:

• Chris Kreider’s hat trick helps Rangers oust Hurricanes with incredible Game 6 win
• Rangers fail to close out Hurricanes again in 4-1 Game 5 defeat
• Winning special teams battle among 3 Rangers keys in Game 5 vs. Hurricanes