Rangers' smart play will give them a chance
The 2-1 overtime loss stings, but the Rangers found out in Game 1 that if they play a smart, straight ahead, relatively risk-free game they will get chances and can prevent the Hurricanes getting to their game. New York owned the first two periods, outshooting Carolina 23-14. It was 1-0, but it wouldn't have been surprising if it was 4-0 after 40 minutes with the way the Rangers were playing because Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta was that good. He had to be because so were the Rangers, and coach Rod Brind'Amour couldn't even blame his team too much because he was too busy giving the Rangers credit for how they were playing. The script flipped in the third period, but that wasn't surprising. The Rangers had to expect a push from the Hurricanes. They withstood it until Sebastian Aho scored off his own rebound with 2:23 remaining. If the Rangers can play Game 2 like they played Game 1 they'll leave Raleigh with a split.-- Dan Rosen, senior writer
Third period blueprint for Hurricanes
The Hurricanes had a different mindset coming out of the dressing room for the third period Wednesday. Maybe it was because they were down 1-0. Maybe it was because they knew they weren't near good enough in the first two periods. Whatever the motivation, the Hurricanes wasted no time getting to their game, outshooting the Rangers 7-0 in five minutes, which is 50 percent of the total number of shots they had through the first 40. They kept the pressure on, were undeterred when Nino Niederreiter hit the crossbar on a breakaway at 12:37 and when Aho did the same at 17:13. Aho scored 24 seconds later, a reward for how the Hurricanes were playing. They got what they deserved and then Ian Cole won it at 3:12 of overtime. The Hurricanes can't expect every period the rest of the series to go like the third went for them in Game 1, but they should have zero doubts about their ability to make it happen. -- Rosen
Bad start dooms Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have no problem finding offense. Their problem in Game 1 was a terrible start, trailing 2-0 after 51 seconds. Goalie Mike Smith had a forgettable night and was pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots 6:05 into the first period. It doesn't matter how good you are at scoring -- you can't put yourself in that predicament. Sure, the Oilers almost pulled off the comeback, but they didn't and putting themselves in an early hole was a big reason why. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Flames have the winning formula
Now the Calgary Flames' job is to make it last longer in Game 2 and beyond. The Flames were relentless with their pressure from the opening face-off in Game 1 and the Oilers were not prepared to handle it. Nearly every loose puck or footrace was won by a Flames player and they held leads of 5-1 and 6-2, and a 34-12 shots-on-goal advantage through 29 minutes. Those are the minutes the Flames will want to keep front of mind, even when they address their defensive shortcomings from the second half of the 9-6 victory. That early game style gives them a strong chance to win the series. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
