Hurricanes’ Coach Questions Call Igniting Rangers’ Comeback Win

The Carolina Hurricanes had everything going their way in Game 6 on Thursday, May 16. They put up a 2-0 early lead through the first 25 minutes of play against the New York Rangers. Everything pointed toward an epic Game 7 on Sunday.

Things, however, took a turn for the worse. New York started to mount a comeback that ended with the Rangers winning 5-3 and eliminating the Canes from Stanley Cup contention.

The comeback was possible thanks to Chris Kreider’s “monster third period.” The forward scored a natural hat trick including the game-tying goal of Game 6 making it 3-3 with the Rangers in a power-play opportunity.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour questioned the penalty call leading to that power-play goal in his postgame press conference on May 16.

“I don’t know if that’s a cross-check,” Brind’Amour told reporters after the game. “He pushed him into the boards. We’re in that stage, there’s a lot of extra, making sure you get the call…

“But I mean, I don’t… you gotta kill the penalty. They’re talented. The guy [Chris Kreider] just floated in. Great tip. You gotta give them credit.”

Hurricanes Head Coach Unhappy With Penalty Call

With the Hurricanes still leading Game 6 3-2 against the Rangers in the third and final period, Jordan Staal approached Mika Zibanejad from behind and hit him.

The officials signaled a cross-checking penalty by Staal at 10:58 of the third stanza, sending the Hurricanes veteran to the penalty box for two minutes with a minor.

The Rangers took advantage of the power-play situation, scoring the game-tying goal and later completing their comeback with Kreider netting his hat trick.

The Rangers finished the series with a 5-for-19 tally on power-play opportunities. The Hurricanes went just 2-for-21 in their man-advantage chances, according to Stathead. On top of that, Carolina allowed New York to score two short-handed goals.