RALEIGH, N.C. — Brady Skjei scored a power-play goal with 3:11 remaining, aiding the Carolina Hurricanes in winning 4-3 against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. This victory prevented a sweep by securing a Game 4 win in the second-round playoff series.
Skjei’s shot from the point, assisted by Tuevo Teravainen, swiftly made its way past Igor Shesterkin to hit the post and slide into the net. This marked Carolina’s first successful power-play goal in 17 attempts during the series, giving them a crucial lead on a night when they lost a two-goal advantage.
Nevertheless, the Hurricanes managed to survive and continue competing in the NHL playoffs.
The Rangers will have another opportunity to close out the series on Monday night, holding a 3-1 lead as the series returns to Madison Square Garden for Game 5.
Carolina's goals came from Evgeny Kuznetsov, Stefan Noesen, and Sebastian Aho, as they took an early 2-0 and 3-1 lead in the first period. Frederik Andersen made 22 saves.
The Rangers saw goals from Will Cuylle, Barclay Goodrow, and Alexis Lafreniere, with Shesterkin stopping 27 shots.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
BOSTON — Leon Draisaitl's return from injury provided a boost for the Edmonton Oilers, while Sam Bennett made a significant impact in his comeback for the Florida Panthers.
The Bruins are anticipating a similar return from Brad Marchand.
Bennett, who sustained an injury during Game 2 of Florida’s first-round series against Tampa Bay, made a strong return on Friday night, delivering crucial hits in the Panthers’ 6-2 triumph over the Bruins, leveling their series at one game apiece. One of the collisions left Marchand struggling to leave the ice and in pain on the bench.
Video replays depict a collision in which Bennett’s hand makes contact with Marchand's face. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery criticized the hit, remarking, “there’s clear evidence of what occurred. People can argue it wasn’t intentional. We have our perspective on it.”
However, Panthers coach Paul Maurice disagreed.
“It was simply a collision,” he stated on Saturday. “Ideally, every team would have all players healthy. It’s unfortunate to see him get injured.”
Bennett did not receive a penalty. Marchand continued to play but did not return for the third period. He missed Saturday's practice, and Montgomery indicated that the team’s top scorer in the playoffs was considered day to day.
“You never want to see someone go down and not be able to come back, especially a guy who’s your leader and your best player,” said Bruins forward Charlie Coyle after the off-day practice. “You want everyone to be healthy and contribute. But it’s an opportunity to step up, and we can do that.”
After missing five consecutive playoff games since his April 23 injury, Bennett returned on Friday with seven hits and an assist. Soon after the Marchand incident, he brought down Bruins star David Pastrnak.
“It was great to be back out there,” Bennett commented. “I think it’s crucial to not hold back. I wanted to go out there and play at full speed. That’s my style of play. I believe it’s the only way to approach it.”
PANTHERS at BRUINS
Florida is winning 2-1
6:30 p.m. (TBS)
Montgomery mentioned that he didn’t have to talk to goalie Jeremy Swayman after the Bruins let in six goals in the last two games. (Swayman was charged with nine of them.)
The coach stated that his goalie was the top player in the first-round series against Toronto, when he secured the position after sharing with Linus Ullmark for most of the season and through the first three games of the playoffs. Florida’s output included five power-play goals, and Swayman also made some impressive saves.
“Have you seen this guy? This guy really wants to be the primary goalie,” Montgomery said. “That’s the determination and skill that we want from everyone.”
Florida scored 10 consecutive goals after Boston scored first in Game 2; the Bruins had never allowed 10 consecutive goals in a playoff series in their 100-year history. The Panthers’ four power-play goals in Game 3 were a first for the franchise, and the most Boston had allowed in a game since 1992.
CANUCKS at OILERS
Series is tied 1-1
9:30 p.m. (TBS)
The Oilers were getting ready to play without Draisaitl, who was injured late in the Game 1 loss to Vancouver. He was a game-time decision and scored a goal with three assists in Friday night’s 4-3, overtime victory that tied the series 1-1.
Draisaitl has scored six goals in the playoffs and is second only to teammate Connor McDavid with 17 points.
“He’s a phenomenal player,” said McDavid, who also had a four-point night. “He’s an incredible player, one of the best players in the world, the best player in the world on many nights. And tonight was one of those nights.”
