Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Rangers aim to take 3-2 series lead tonight in Carolina

May 26, 2022, 7:16 AM ET [385 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers roll in to Carolina fresh off two solid performance and wins at home. A pivotal game 5 is tonight in Raleigh with the series tied at two. Both teams will meet again Saturday at MSG, time of game depending on what happens in the Calgary-Edmonton series tonight.

A few thoughts:
1) Tonight’s lineup should overall be the same as we saw all series. The only question is whether the combinations remain intact. Off a solid 60 minutes Tuesday, I would be surprised if coach Gerard Gallant makes a switch, but as we have seen so far, rule nothing out.

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafrenière-Chytil-Motte
Kakko-Rooney-Reaves

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Schneider

Shesterkin

2) The one bit of new news we received yesterday from Gallant - though a bit begrudgingly - was on Barclay Goodrow. Gallant, as he was walking out the door from yesterday’s off-day press conference, noted that Goodrow was skating and heading in the right direction. Goodrow, injured May 3 in Game 1 against the Penguins, was to be sidelined weeks though how many weeks was not known.

The belief is that Goodrow broke or fractured a bone in or around his ankle blocking a shot. Initial projections was he would miss 4-6 weeks, likely closer to the higher end. Tomorrow will be four weeks, so while I don’t expect him back during this series, if New York advances, Goodrow could possibly be ready for the start of the next round.

In addition, Sammy Blais continues to skate in a non-contact jersey. Blais tore his ACL and I believe other ligaments November 14, waiting for the swelling to go down before he had surgery around a month later. Blais is now five-plus months clear of the operation, which would be a much earlier than expected possible return date. I view him less likely for the next round, but as we have seen so far, anything is possible

3) Home ice has been the dominant story this series and in general in the playoffs for both teams. After losing Game 1 at home in overtime against Pittsburgh, New York has won five straight at MSG, including Games 3 and 4. On the flip side, the Canes are 0-5 on the road in the playoffs and have been outscored 21-8, including 7-1 the past two games. Carolina is 6-0 at home and for New York to win the series, obviously they need to “steal” one there. If they play as they did the first two periods in Game 1 or all game Tuesday, tonight could be that night.

Withstanding the first five minutes will be key. Get out of that even and then turning the tide or surge, pun intended, will be key. In addition, maintaining their composure, especially on the road, is another key, given what swirled at the ends of Games 3 and 4. We saw the first periods in Game 1 that the environment in Carolina didn’t faze New York. Putting a full game together, as they did Tuesday, on the road should allow the Rangers to return back to MSG with a chance to end the series Saturday.

Will post any updates from today’s practice in this blog.

Join the Discussion: » 385 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jan Levine
» Rangers find way to notch 3-2 shootout win over Avalanche
» Rangers face Avalanche as Ryan Lindgren returns to the lineup
» Rangers clinch playoff berth with barn burner 6-5 OT win over the Flyers
» Rangers face Flyers with chance to clinch playoff berth
» Rangers rally twice to defeat Panthers 4-3 in a shootout