Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei (76) celebrates with center Sebastian Aho (20) and left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Hurricanes' power play finally comes through with season on the line

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 5/11/24

The Carolina Hurricanes are not finished just yet.

Thanks to their 4-3 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday night, the Hurricanes were able to fight off elimination and stay in their second-round playoff series for at least one more game.

The difference in Saturday's game ended up being the one aspect of their game that forced them into a 3-0 series hole -- the power play.

After failing to score on their first 15 power plays of the series, while also allowing a shorthanded goal, the Hurricanes finally struck on the man advantage with just under four minutes to play in regulation when Brady Skjei beat Igor Shesterkin for the game-winning goal.

Have a look at the goal.

BRADY SKJEI

His goal late in the third period gives the @Canes the lead! #StanleyCup

: @NHL_On_TNT (truTV) & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/DnNyX8rrAr
— NHL (@NHL) May 12, 2024

Even though the Rangers entered play on Saturday owning a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, it has been significantly closer than that on the ice.

Every game has been decided by a single goal, including Games 2 and 3 where the Rangers won in overtime.

When the game has been played at even-strength the two teams have pretty much matched each other goal-for-goal. The difference was entirely on special teams and goaltending. While the Rangers had scored four power-play goals in the first three games, they also added a shorthanded goal and kept the Hurricanes' power play -- one of the league's best during the regular season -- entirely off the scoreboard. That 5-0 special teams advantage was quite literally the difference in the series.

On Saturday, the Hurricanes finally flipped that around by keeping the Rangers power play off the board -- and off the ice by playing a mostly disciplined game -- and finally took advantage of their own.

It keeps them in it now. Now they just have to do it three more times in a row. The series continues for Game 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday night.

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