Alexis Lafrenière scored twice, and Panarin had three assists for the Rangers, who are the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division and have yet to lose this postseason (6-0). Igor Shesterkin made 54 saves.
Jake Guentzel scored twice, and Sebastian Aho had three assists for the Hurricanes, who are the No. 2 seed from the Metropolitan. Andersen made 35 saves.
Carolina was 0-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-7 on the penalty kill. Through the two games in the series, it is 0-for-10 on the power play and 5-for-9 on the penalty kill.
“We’re right there,” Guentzel said. “It’s a small margin for error in the playoffs. …We got to buckle down on the power play and find a way to get one there. So, go home, play in front of our fans and move on.”
Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 10:53 of the first period with a wrist shot through a screen from the left circle. It was his first playoff goal since May 11, 2022.
“It was good,” Lafreniere said. “It’s always fun to score, but just trying to play a complete game, and playing with ‘Troch’ and [Panarin] obviously helps a lot. Just trying to get open and when I get a chance, try to finish.”
Guentzel tied it 1-1 at 15:07, redirecting Aho’s one-timer from the point.
“Whenever you can produce in the playoffs, it’s a good thing,” Guentzel said. “… Just obviously not enough and wish we [won].”
