The Rangers allowed a shorthanded goal and an empty net goal in Friday’s game two loss to the Hurricanes, but it was plenty for Carolina, which once again silenced New York’s attack in a 2-0 victory.
The Rangers have scored just one goal all series, and haven’t found the back of the net since the early parts of the first period in game, one, but have been on the doorstep of taking both of the first two games. Instead, they trail 2-0 heading into a must-win game three at The Garden on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m happy with the way we performed overall,” head coach Gerard Gallant said. “I wish we would have gotten one of these two games. We probably could have, but that’s the way it goes.
“You get down two, you can’t just say ‘Well, what are you gonna do?’ You gotta get back home and get ready to play the next one. Play well, play hard, we'll find a way to get another win.”
Gallant thought his team was ready for the challenge of playing on the road in what was a raucous PNC Arena crowd on Friday night, and the Blueshirts kept it close, but Carolina’s penalty kill suffocated the Rangers power play, and at even strength, the Hurricanes defense shut down Artemi Panarin and company to make a 1-0 advantage feel like a comfortable lead.
Still, the Rangers were one good look, one good shot away from tying the game, and putting themselves in a position to tie the series. But it never came. The Rangers kept it close, but head home empty handed.
But Gallant is pleased with his team’s effort.
“You get your team prepared to play, you play as hard as you can,” Gallant said. “And you hope you win these hockey games.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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