So far, the questions about whether or not the Canes could solve what plagued them in their regular season series with the New York Rangers have been answered with a resounding yes. Thanks to a trio of goals from Andrei Svechnikov Monday, the first playoff hat trick in franchise history, the Canes find themselves up 2-0 and on the brink of advancing after a 4-1 win.
Jordan Martinook scored the Canes’ other goal, and Petr Mrazek was fantastic, making 23 saves on 24 Rangers shots, several of the dazzling variety. Sebastian Aho assisted on all three of Svechnikov’s goals, and Sami Vatanen picked up a pair of helpers as well.