NHL Hurricanes keep season alive, edge Rangers Game 4 West Hawaii Today

Brady Skjei scores power-play goal to lift Hurricanes over Rangers, while Stars take control of series against Avalanche.

The Carolina Hurricanes secured a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers in an intense Eastern Conference semifinal series game in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday night. The tie-breaking power-play goal by Brady Skjei in the final moments of the third period proved to be the game-changer, with Seth Jarvis providing a crucial screen against New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin. This goal not only ended Carolina's power-play drought but also shifted the momentum in favor of the Hurricanes, who were determined to keep pushing forward in the series.

Skjei expressed the significance of breaking the power-play slump, highlighting the team's unwavering belief in their ability to come back in games. Despite facing challenges, the Hurricanes maintained their resilience and capitalized on the opportunity to secure a crucial win. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Stefan Noesen, and Sebastian Aho also contributed goals for Carolina, with Teuvo Teravainen delivering key assists throughout the game.

Frederik Andersen's return to the net proved instrumental for the Hurricanes, as he made 22 saves to help secure the victory. Although the Rangers fought hard, with Will Cuylle, Barclay Goodrow, and Alexis Lafreniere finding the back of the net, it was not enough to maintain their winning streak. Head coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the team's need to improve defensively and sharpen their focus moving forward in the series.

With the Rangers leading the best-of-seven series 3-1, the Hurricanes are determined to bounce back in Game 5 in New York. The opening period saw Carolina taking an early lead, with Kuznetsov and Noesen scoring to establish a 2-0 advantage. Despite New York's efforts to close the gap, Aho's goal extended Carolina's lead to 3-1, setting the tone for a competitive matchup.

As the game progressed, the Rangers fought back, with Goodrow and Lafreniere leveling the score at 3-3. However, Carolina's resilience shone through as they responded to the challenge, ultimately securing the victory with Skjei's decisive goal. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour praised the team's ability to stay focused and maintain composure under pressure, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the next play.

In a separate matchup, the Dallas Stars claimed a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Tyler Seguin's go-ahead goal and Logan Stankoven's two goals propelled the Stars to victory, with Jake Oettinger delivering a stellar performance in goal. The Stars now lead the series 2-1, with the opportunity to further extend their advantage in Game 4.

Despite a strong performance by Colorado, including a goal by Mikko Rantanen, the Avalanche fell short in the face of Dallas' determined play. Oettinger's solid goaltending and the Stars' disciplined approach in the third period proved to be the difference-maker, as they capitalized on opportunities to secure the win. Colorado coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the team's need to improve their offensive execution and create more scoring chances to overcome the Stars' strong defensive play.

Overall, both the Hurricanes and the Stars showcased their resilience and determination in securing crucial victories in their respective playoff series. As the competition intensifies, these teams will need to maintain their focus, adapt to their opponents' strategies, and continue to deliver strong performances to advance further in the playoffs.