With just one game standing between the Carolina Hurricanes and a well-earned three-week break, the focus tonight shifts to Madison Square Garden, where the Canes will take on the New York Rangers. Carolina enters this one riding a wave of momentum - a season-high nine-game point streak - and they don’t look like a team ready to take their foot off the gas just yet.
Their latest win, a 4-3 decision over the Ottawa Senators, was another display of the kind of balanced, veteran-led hockey that’s come to define this team’s identity. Sebastian Aho continued his strong form with a goal and two assists, Seth Jarvis lit the lamp twice, and Jordan Staal came through in the clutch, breaking a third-period tie to seal the deal. That kind of production from both stars and role players is exactly what has made Carolina such a tough out lately.
But here’s where things get tricky. With the Olympic break looming and only four players from the roster set to compete in Italy, the temptation to mentally check out is real.
That’s where the Canes’ leadership core - guys like Staal, Aho, and Brent Burns - will have to keep the locker room dialed in. The Rangers may be down, but they’re not out, and spoiler mode is a dangerous gear for any team with nothing to lose.
The Opponent: New York Rangers
The last time these two teams met, it was a nail-biter in Raleigh. Both squads traded power-play goals early, and then exchanged tallies in the second and third periods.
Overtime looked destined for a shootout until Jackson Blake tipped in a late power-play goal to give Carolina a dramatic 3-2 win. Igor Shesterkin was brilliant in that one, but the Canes found just enough to get past him.
Since then, it’s been a rough ride for the Rangers - and that might be putting it lightly. Following that December loss, New York has managed just three wins in its last 15 games.
Injuries to key players like Shesterkin and Adam Fox haven’t helped, but the issues run deeper. General Manager Chris Drury made it official on January 16 with what fans are calling “The Letter 2.0,” signaling a retooling phase for the franchise.
The message was clear: this isn’t a playoff push, it’s a reset.
That reset began in earnest with the trade of Artemi Panarin earlier this week, just ahead of the Olympic roster freeze. And while the move may have been necessary for the Rangers’ long-term outlook, it’s left a noticeable void in the lineup.
Add to that a brutal home record - just six wins in 24 games at Madison Square Garden, including one in six tries during January - and it’s safe to say this team could use the break more than most. But don’t mistake that for a lack of fight. These are still professional athletes with pride, and games like tonight can become rallying points for players looking to prove they belong in the team’s future plans.
Rangers Players to Keep an Eye On
Mika Zibanejad is doing everything he can to keep the offense afloat. With Panarin gone, he’s once again the go-to guy, just like he was back in 2018-19.
And he’s been red-hot lately. Over the last 15 games, Zibanejad has racked up 11 goals and 23 points, including a pair of hat tricks.
He’s currently riding a four-game point streak and doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon.
JT Miller, the team captain, has been another bright spot during a tough stretch. Since returning from injury early last month, he’s recorded points in 10 of his last 12 games, including each of the last four. Miller’s not going anywhere, and his steady presence gives the Rangers a needed dose of accountability and edge - especially in games like this one, where pride is on the line.
Hurricanes Players to Watch
Sebastian Aho is heading to Italy for the Olympics, and he’s playing like a guy who wants to bring some serious momentum with him. He hit the 20-goal mark earlier this week - the 10th straight season he’s done that - and he’s scored in three straight games. With the Canes clicking offensively, Aho’s two-way play continues to be the engine that drives this team.
Nikolaj Ehlers hasn’t found the back of the net since his hat trick, but he’s still making an impact. He set up the game-winner against Ottawa with a slick pass, and his playmaking continues to be a weapon.
Denmark’s Olympic path won’t be easy, but Ehlers is the kind of player who can change a game with one shift. Don’t be surprised if he breaks his scoring drought tonight.
Tonight’s matchup has all the makings of a classic pre-break trap game - a surging team with something to protect versus a struggling one with nothing to lose. But if the Hurricanes want to keep their streak alive and hit the pause button on a high note, they’ll need to match the Rangers’ desperation with discipline and focus. One more push, then it’s time to rest - but first, they’ve got business to finish in the Big Apple.