NEW YORK (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes secured a dominant 4-0 victory against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, propelled by Andrei Svechnikov's impressive performance, which included two goals and one assist. Frederik Andersen, the Hurricanes' goalie, made 22 saves to help seal the shutout, marking his first of the season and the 28th of his distinguished career.
Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis also contributed goals to the Hurricanes' victory, helping the team improve their record to five wins out of the last six games. The win is notable as the Hurricanes continue to assert their strength within the Metropolitan Division, raising their record against division opponents to 14-4-3 this season.
For the Rangers, this result was disappointing, as it marked their second consecutive loss, snapping their streak of earning points in ten straight games. Despite starting the game strong, the Rangers found themselves unable to capitalize on their opportunities, leading to their downfall.
Svechnikov kicked off the scoring just 56 seconds after the opening faceoff, tapping one home with assists from Taylor Hall and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This marked the fifth time this season the Rangers allowed their opponents to score within the first minute of play, highlighting defensive lapses.
The Hurricanes increased their lead later on, with Svechnikov finding the back of the net again at 19:29 of the second period. Following the failed scoring opportunity from Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck, who attempted to drop the puck for Reilly Smith as his penalty was expiring, Svechnikov was quick to finish off a three-on-one break, receiving the final pass from Mikko Rantanen, another new addition to the Hurricanes.
Andersen played a pivotal role, showcasing his skills throughout the match. A key moment arrived midway through the second period when he rejected a dangerous chance from Rangers forward Chris Kreider on the power play, effectively maintaining Carolina's lead.
Just over a minute and four seconds after the beginning of the third period, Aho scored the Hurricanes’ third goal, followed quickly by Jarvis at 2:30 of the same period, capping off the scoring for the night. Andersen's impressive performances since returning from knee surgery saw him improve to 6-1-0, with three consecutive wins, significantly contributing to his team's success.
Despite the loss, the Rangers can take solace from their overall performance throughout January, where they finished with 8-3-3, contrasting sharply with their 3-10-0 record the prior month. They will look to regroup and bounce back as they prepare for their next matchup against the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, seeking to continue their winning momentum.
This match exemplifies the competitive nature of the NHL and both teams' excursions within the season. The Hurricanes look primed to challenge for the top spots within their division, with players like Svechnikov stepping up when it matters most, as evidenced by his performance on Tuesday. Both teams will continue to adapt and strategize as the season progresses, making each game all the more significant.