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

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.