Trouba hit on Domi sets tone for Rangers in Game 4 win

NEW YORK -- Jacob Trouba had his sights set on Max Domi attempting to play the puck at the red line near the boards. Once the New York Rangers defenseman leveled the Carolina Hurricanes forward, the complexion of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round was altered.

The Trouba hit and the goal the Rangers scored on the resulting power play helped New York to a 4-1 win at Madison Square Garden and evened the best-of-7 series. Game 5 is at Carolina on Thursday.
After Trouba's hit at 11:38 of the first period, Hurricanes forward Steven Lorentz came to Domi's defense and was given an instigating minor, a five-minute major and 10-minute misconduct at 11:38. Trouba was also assessed a five-minute fighting major, but the Rangers got the man-advantage and Frank Vatrano scored for a 1-0 lead at 13:31.
"It was a big hit and obviously it changed the course of the game a little bit, with them taking that penalty," New York forward Andrew Copp said.

Copp had an assist on Vatrano's goal and finished with three points (one goal, two assists).
Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said he was unhappy with Lorentz' decision.
"Just can't take a penalty there," Brind'Amour said. "We gave them the power play there and that got them going right away. We kind of did it to ourselves a little bit in the first. We got kind of playing again, but by then it's too late. Give them two, it's tough to come back."
Goals from Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad gave the Rangers enough of a cushion to withstand the Hurricanes' push in the third period that included Teuvo Teravainen scoring at 6:33 to deny Igor Shesterkin his first NHL postseason shutout.
Copp's first goal and point of the series at 11:10 restored New York's three-goal lead. Carolina's attempt at damage control did not overcome goalie Antti Raanta's first bad goal-against of these playoffs, his save on Ryan Lindgren slipping between his pads and Zibanejad poking in the rebound, or an interference penalty on defenseman Brendan Smith at 17:59 of the second period taken out of pure frustration.
RELATED: [Complete Hurricanes vs. Rangers series coverage]
It was the Rangers who played a smarter Game 4 while bringing the physicality with two minor penalties in 60 minutes.
"We're not out there trying to catch guys at all and we're not trying to play stupid or anything," Copp said. "We're just trying to finish our checks when we are there and play physical when we can and make smart decisions. At the end of the day, them taking the two-minute instigator changed the course of the game. We score on the power play and now it's 1-0 and scoring first has been huge in this series. … It was a good hit. Their response warranted a penalty, and that was a big play in the game."
Fox said scoring the first goal was key.
"We were creating chances and got the lead and then didn't sit back on that. I think we created a lot more chances, didn't just sit back on our heels, get the puck out of the zone and live to see another shift," Fox said. "When you're up 3-0, the other team is going to push a little, create chances, and they did that, and we got the saves when we needed it. But overall, it seemed like every line was able to create chances, was able to give the team a spark if we needed it. I definitely say it was one of the more complete efforts we've had."