Madison Square Garden– Vincent Trocheck struggled to articulate the emotions coursing through him as he netted the game-winning goal in the second overtime, propelling the New York Rangers to another pivotal victory.
Trocheck’s power-play goal, a rebound effort at 7:24 of the second extra period, sealed a hard-fought 4-3 win for the Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, extending their series lead to 2-0.
“I’m at a loss for words, to be honest. I’ll need to watch it again to fully grasp the moment,” Trocheck confessed. “In games like these, anything can happen in overtime, so it’s a huge relief to come out on top.”
Alexis Lafreniere scored a pair of goals, while Chris Kreider also found the net on the power play, with Artemi Panarin contributing three assists. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin delivered a standout performance with a season-high 54 saves.
“Igor played an incredible game, keeping us in it when it mattered most,” Trocheck praised. “With him guarding the net like that, it’s tough for any team to break through.”
The victory marked the Rangers’ sixth consecutive playoff win and their eighth straight dating back to the regular season. It also marked their first overtime playoff victory since 2022’s Game 7 against Pittsburgh.
Despite facing a resilient Hurricanes team, the Rangers capitalized on their power-play opportunities, converting twice with the man advantage for the second consecutive game. Their power play has been a force to be reckoned with in the postseason, boasting a remarkable 40% conversion rate.
“We have confidence in our power play unit. We know we can make things happen,” Trocheck remarked. “It’s been a crucial factor for us in these playoffs.”
With the series now shifting to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the next two games, the Hurricanes are determined to bounce back on home ice.
“We fought hard tonight, but it’s going to sting. We need to regroup and come back stronger at home,” Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal acknowledged.
The game was a roller coaster of emotions, with both teams trading leads throughout. Lafreniere opened the scoring for the Rangers, only for the Hurricanes to respond with goals from Jake Guentzel and Dmitry Orlov.
However, Lafreniere struck again in the second period to tie the game, setting the stage for a thrilling finish in double overtime.
Trocheck’s heroics ultimately sealed the win for the NY Rangers, sending their fans into a frenzy and solidifying their status as contenders in the postseason.
