Rangers’ playoff hopes can end quickly.
A popular pick to advance into the round of 16 and possibly beyond, the Rangers are facing elimination in Game 3 (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network) down 2-0 in their best-of-five qualifying round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Playing games back-to-back means New York’s run could last less than four days.
“Uncharted territory, that’s for sure,” defense Marc Staal said. “Sleep well, wake up and get in position to play again. That’s all you can do.”
Only one of the 56 groups losing 2-0 in an NHL best-of-five playoff series, there have been no more than five since 1986. Getting more attack would be a smart start for Rangers, who are 1 out of 11 in the strength game and not much older with equivalent strength.
“We just have to keep running so that the disks and bodies reach the net,” Chris Kreider said.
The Rangers were without goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin for the first two games, but Henrik Lundqvist is not an explanation for why they were left empty. Coach David Quinn said no resolution had been made about who would leave in the goals of Game 3 between Shesterkin, Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev.
The Winnipeg Jets have avoided falling into a 2-0 gap when Nikolaj Ehlers broke a 2-2 draw with a purpose at 10:24 on Monday to tie his qualifying streak to one game each. The groups will face each other in Game 3 on Tuesday (6:45 p.m. EDT).
BLUE JACKETS vs. Blue JACKETS MAPLE LEAFS, Columbus leads 1-0. (4 p.m. EDT, NBCSN)
The dominant story of the playoff qualifying series between Columbus and Toronto is how the Blue Jackets’ competitive and life-filled defensive would pit Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and other prolific Maple Leafs scorers.
Sunday’s first game followed that story, with the Blue Jackets throwing several effective defensive pairs and the Leafs gathering just a few valuable opportunities in a 2-0 bleaching.
Columbus goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo, who faced rookie Elvis Merzlikins for first place in summer education camp, was his first playoff game and recorded the first playoff bleach in franchise history.
The Maple Leafs will regroup and look for a way to solve Korpisalo and the Blue Jackets to a large extent and harassment when the series resumes at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
“I don’t think we were surprised at all,” downtown Auston Matthews said. “They play a pretty undeniable game, and that’s what you can expect every night. They’re going to compete, they’re going to play physically.”
PANTHERS vs. PANTHERS ISLANDERS, New York leads 1-0 (EDT noon, NBCSN)
Defenseman Johnny Boychuk’s fitness is New Yorkers’ biggest question. Don’t expect Coach Barry Trotz to provide a lot of answers.
Trotz proved that Boychuk, who was injured in Saturday’s first game, did not train on Monday. When asked who would update Boychuk in the lineup, Trotz said: “An advocate will take his place.
Islanders have options, from industry veteran Andy Greene to Thomas Hickey and young Noah Dobson.
COYOTES vs PREDATORS, Arizona leads 1-0 (2:30 p.m., NHL Network)
Just because the Arizona Coyotes disappoint the Nashville Predators in the first game of the 6-11 series in the West doesn’t mean they feel too confident. Almost skipping a lead assistant coach Rick Tocchet concentrated his group.
“You can learn, even if we win,” Tocchet said. “They’re going to make an effort because they’re a wonderful team. You just have to be able to take care of them.”
Nashville goalkeeper Juuse Saros was not the challenge in the first game, however, it is possible that coach John Hynes still has a resolution to make between him and veteran Pekka Rinne.
WILD vs. WILD CANUCKS, Minnesota leads 1-0 (10:45 p.m.EDT, USA Network)
The Vancouver Canucks would like to tie their series against the Minnesota Wild after a disappointing start. Striker Micheal Ferland was given a shot at Ryan Hartman in the first game after a Minnesota player grabbed his bench stick and the NHL fined him $5,000 for harpooning.
“Someone grabs your stick from the bench, you’re going to try to get it back maybe in a harder way than you would normally would,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “I thought two minutes each was fine. I know Ferly got fined. I believe one or two of their players did. Not much to talk about, really.”
Savage striker Luke Kunin has been fined $1,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
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Stacy reported from Columbus, Ohio. AP Hockey screenwriter Stephen Whyno contributed.
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