Trocheck, Rangers defeat Hurricanes in 2OT in Game 2

NEW YORK -- Vincent Trocheck scored a power-play goal at 7:24 of the second overtime to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

Artemi Panarin's shot from the high slot was blocked by Jaccob Slavin and deflected to Mika Zibanejad, who quickly sent a shot toward the net. That attempt was also blocked and landed near the left post, where Trocheck scored five-hole on Frederik Andersen.

It was Trocheck's fifth straight game with a goal, tying Cecil Dillon (1933) for the longest postseason streak in Rangers history. He also has a point in all six playoff games (five goals, five assists).

"On the goal, I couldn't tell you what happened," Trocheck said. "It went in. I don't know. I'll watch it and let you know tomorrow. … Typically in those games, whenever they go into overtime, double overtime, anybody can win those games. … Just thankful it was us tonight."

The Rangers lead the best-of-7 series 2-0. Game 3 is in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday.

"Great game," New York defenseman Adam Fox said. "I thought we battled throughout. Nothing came easy, and a big goal there by 'Troch' at the end."

Alexis Lafrenière scored twice, and Panarin had three assists for the Rangers, who are the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division and have yet to lose this postseason (6-0). Igor Shesterkin made 54 saves.

Jake Guentzel scored twice, and Sebastian Aho had three assists for the Hurricanes, who are the No. 2 seed from the Metropolitan. Andersen made 35 saves.

Carolina was 0-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-7 on the penalty kill. Through the two games in the series, it is 0-for-10 on the power play and 5-for-9 on the penalty kill.

"We're right there," Guentzel said. "It's a small margin for error in the playoffs. …We got to buckle down on the power play and find a way to get one there. So, go home, play in front of our fans and move on."

Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 10:53 of the first period with a wrist shot through a screen from the left circle. It was his first playoff goal since May 11, 2022.

"It was good," Lafreniere said. "It's always fun to score, but just trying to play a complete game, and playing with 'Troch' and [Panarin] obviously helps a lot. Just trying to get open and when I get a chance, try to finish."

Guentzel tied it 1-1 at 15:07, redirecting Aho's one-timer from the point.

"Whenever you can produce in the playoffs, it's a good thing," Guentzel said. "… Just obviously not enough and wish we [won]."

Dmitry Orlov gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead with six seconds remaining in the first period, deflecting Brady Skjei's shot from the left point with the teams skating 4-on-4.

Lafreniere tied it 2-2 at 7:32 of the second period, tapping in a backdoor pass from Fox.

"For me, it's just a continuation of his regular season," Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said of Lafreniere, who set career highs in goals (28), assists (29) and points (57). "There's good chemistry on that line and it's not been touched the entire year. … I think he's taken the regular season and the confidence he got from that into the playoffs."

Guentzel responded for Carolina to make it 3-2 at 18:18. He scored with a one-timer from the low slot off a centering pass from Aho.

Chris Kreider tied it 3-3 with a power-play goal at 6:07 of the third period, jamming in a rebound at the right post.

"Not much else to talk about today," Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. "It's pretty evident. The PK has got to kill and the power play has got to convert on just probably one and we would have found a way to win. I thought our 5-on-5 game was great. It was a hard-fought game. It's going to sting but we got a find a way to get it done at home."

Shesterkin made 17 saves in the third period and 15 in the two overtimes.

"We talk about it every game," Fox said. "Not that he doesn't deserve that praise. He's the backbone of our team. I think especially if you're not on your A game for parts of it, he'll back you up and makes a huge difference, obviously, in any game, especially this time of year."

Carolina has lost four of its five games against New York this season, with each loss coming by one goal.

"At the end of the day, we know what we have to do to win," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "So, we're going to just have to find a way to do that. ... They believe in there. ... I think they understand what we have to do and they feel capable of it."

NOTES: Panarin has 127 points (52 goals, 75 assists) this season, moving past Jaromir Jagr (124 in 2005-06) for the most in Rangers history (regular season and playoffs combined). … Zibanejad extended his point streak to six games (three goals, eight assists). … Hurricanes forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was a healthy scratch. He was replaced in the lineup by Max Comtois, who was minus-1 in 6:19 of ice time in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.