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Igor Shesterkin makes 29 saves, Rangers outlast Hurricanes in key 2-1 road win

Rangers beat Hurricanes 2-1 on road
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesse Puljujarvi (13) has his shot stopped by New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
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Adam Fox ended a 24-game stretch without a goal and the New York Rangers overcame the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2-1 victory Thursday night.

Fox scored at 4:01 of the third period and the Rangers forged a split of a two-game set this week among Metropolitan Division contenders.

Artemi Panarin also scored and assisted on the goal-ahead goal. Mika Zibanejad had two assists for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves.

Sebastian Aho had Carolina’s goal and Frederik Anderson stopped 14 shots. The Hurricanes could have clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a victory, but they’ll have plenty more chances as this was the beginning of a four-game homestand.

The Rangers have points in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1).

The Hurricanes scored three third-period goals to rally for Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory at New York.

Fox gave the Rangers their first lead Thursday night with his 11th goal of the season. Panarin’s pass set up the goal.

New York didn’t have a shot on goal until nearly 11 minutes into the game. That attempt came during a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:49 and resulted in Carolina fans roaring at a playoff-like volume.

Aho’s team-high 31st goal came at 16:47 of the first period.

Panarin tied it at 10:33 of the second on just the eighth shot of the game for the Rangers.

Game Notes

  • After leaving and returning to Tuesday night’s loss to Carolina, Ryan Lindgren did not play in Thursday night’s contest due to the same upper-body injury that kept him out for 11 games. New York announced that it was out of caution that their top defenseman was kept out. 
  • Thursday’s win certainly made up key ground for the Rangers in the Metro division standings. New York trails second-place New Jersey by just four points, and Carolina by six. 
  • Fox’s goal may have ended a drought of over two months, but that doesn’t mean he’s been scoreless throughout. The former Norris trophy winner actually continued on a six-game point streak with his score in the third period. 

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