NHL Recap: New York 4, Carolina 3

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t keep pace and lost 4-3 to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

While Jordan Staal, Victor Rask, and Chris Terry netted goals against goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and a vulnerable Rangers squad that had lost three straight, it wasn’t enough to overcome a 4-2 deficit heading into the final period.

Goaltender Cam Ward and the Hurricanes had a rough start and fell behind 2-0 against the Rangers power play.

Mats Zuccarello and Oscar Lindberg each scored and got New York’s offense going on the two of three man-advantage opportunities the Rangers had during the first period.

Staal’s goal at 1:40 into the second gave Carolina a boost, but a low-percentage dump shot towards the net from Chris Kreider got past Ward just 44 seconds later and just as quickly deflated the surge.

Derick Brassard extended the Rangers lead to 4-1 until Rask scored his co-team-leading eighth goal of the season with 2:01 remaining in the period.

Forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Jaccob Slavin earned assists on the goal – a memorable moment for the rookie blueliner who posted his first career NHL point to set it up.

Trailing 4-2 with 20 minutes remaining, the Hurricanes continued to test Lundqvist, outshooting the Rangers 24-14 up to that point.

While Terry scored his third of the season at 8:23 into the final period, Carolina couldn’t beat the New York netminder for the remainder of the game.

The Hurricanes return to Raleigh and prepare for a three-game home stand that will take place over four days starting on Thursday when the New Jersey Devils arrive.

Carolina will then face off against the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes on Saturday and Sunday respectively, in a back-to-back set to end the weekend at PNC Arena.

Boxscore: New York 4, Carolina 3