Preview: Round 2, Game 3 vs. NYR

Canes to try and use the home crowd to their advantage as the series shifts to Raleigh

By Walt Ruff

@WaltRuff Hurricanes.com

May 09, 2024

RALEIGH, NC. - The Carolina Hurricanes will try to turn the tide of their series against the New York Rangers on Thursday, when they host Game 3 at PNC Arena.

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When: Thursday, May 9

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Series: Rangers Lead 2-0

Watch: TNT, Max, SN, CBC, TVA

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, Provided By Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -165

Ready to fight back 😤 pic.twitter.com/GWntMZHgXF
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 8, 2024

The Series So Far

Game 1: New York goes a perfect 7/7 on special teams, leading the way to a 4-3 series-opening victory.
Game 2: Vincent Trocheck scores the game-winner in 2OT, securing another 4-3 win for the Presidents' Trophy winners.

Last Time Out

Special teams cost the Canes again in Game 2, allowing multiple power play goals and coming up empty-handed on their own man advantages for a second consecutive game.
Jake Guentzel scored twice and Sebastian Aho factored in on all three goals for Carolina, but in 2OT Vincent Trocheck scored the deciding tally.
Igor Shesterkin made 54 saves for New York.

Special Teams Adjustments

The difference thus far in the series has been cut and dry - special teams play.
On the power play, Canes players and coaches want to get more inside toward Shesterkin's crease tonight and spend less time on the perimeter.
On the penalty kill, Carolina will try to find the balance between aggressively pressuring and staying in the passing lanes.

In Net

Frederik Andersen has been the team's workhorse throughout the playoffs but took the loss in both Games 1 & 2. He allowed just two even-strength goals in each game.
Rod Brind'Amour said on Wednesday that the team hadn't made a decision yet as to who would start in Game 3, and some of that answer would be dependent on how Andersen feels. It is the first time since last year's playoffs that Andersen has played seven games in a row.
If it's not Andersen, it would be Pyotr Kochetkov for the first time since April 14, the team's second-to-last regular season game.

On The Other Side

The Rangers' top stars continue to lead the way for them this series, as Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and Artemi Panarin have combined for 12 points through the first two games of the series.
Shesterkin has been fantastic in net as well, stopping 70/76 shots faced.
Their X-Factor has been special teams though, going 4-for-9 on the power play and 10-for-10 on the penalty kill.

Go get 'em! Round 2 tickets are on sale NOW.

🎟️ https://t.co/4hxiwcNN9C pic.twitter.com/cr21S8inPE
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 1, 2024

Injury Updates

Forward Jesper Fast suffered an upper-body injury in the team's regular season finale on Tuesday, April 16. On Thursday, April 25, Rod Brind'Amour said that he is likely out for the entire postseason.
Defenseman Brett Pesce suffered a lower-body injury during Round 1, Game 2. Brind'Amour said he's not counting on #22 being available this series, but he remains hopeful he may be able to get in at some point.

What Are We Wearing?

The team will be wearing their black sweaters for all home games during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and white for all road games.

Additional Game Information

Coming to tonight's game? Save $15 on parking by purchasing in advance. Click here to buy.
Want to remember tonight forever? Purchase a commemorative ticket here.

Where To Watch

Can't make it to PNC Arena, or looking for a place to watch the road games in the series?
Visit any Carolina Ale House in the state to watch the Canes throughout the playoffs.

What's Next After This Game?

The Canes are scheduled to practice on Friday before returning to action on Saturday for Game 4.

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— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 1, 2024