NHL – The “preview” of the night across the Atlantic
NHL – Regular Season
The Hurricanes will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead – something they’ve done in four of their last seven games, including the 2020 Stanley Cup qualifier ( once morest NYR) – while the Rangers aim for a split. points before heading home for Game 3. In Calgary, the Flames will try to take the series lead 2-0 for the first time in franchise history once morest the Oilers, following the highest-scoring playoff game in 29 years.
Carolina not far from a franchise record
Carolina can extend its home winning streak since the start of the postseason six times when the Hurricanes and Rangers face off in Game 2 of their second-round series at the PNC Arena.
- Not only is a new franchise record within reach for the team, but Sebastian Aho | (17-24-41) is very close to getting his name to the top of a few all-time lists. After scoring the equalizer in the opener, Aho now needs two goals and two points to tie Eric Staal for first place in the franchise in those two categories – and a goal to tie the head coach Rod Brind’Amour for second place on this list. With his next assist, Aho will break the tie with Staal and equalize Ron Francis (25) for first place in the franchise.
- Alexis Lafreniere had an assist in Game 1 to score his fifth career playoff point (2-3-5 in 8 GP), all achieved in 2022. He tied Rod Gilbert (2-3-5 in 4 GP) and is only beaten by Don Maloney (7-13-20 in 18 GP) and Niklas Sundstrom (4-3-7 in 11 GP) for the most playoff points in Rangers history before the age of 21.
Time Machine
The Flames and Oilers will play Game 2 following taking the time machine to the 1980s in the opener. After scoring 15 goals in Wednesday’s second-round opener, Calgary and Edmonton will face off once more at the Scotiabank Saddledome before the series moves to Alberta’s Route 2 at Rogers Place.
- Four of the five highest scoring series in Stanley Cup Playoff history have involved at least one of the Flames or Oilers, including a previous “Battle of Alberta” where Calgary and Edmonton combined 60 goals in seven games in the 1984 Divisional Finals. The Oilers won their first Stanley Cup that year.
- After leading their team in goals on Wednesday, Matthew Tkachuk (3-0-3; tied) and Connor McDavid (1-3-4) will try to do more in the second game. The most goals by a player in a series between Calgary and Edmonton is eight, while the most points is 14, achieved by Mark Messier et Wayne Gretzkyrespectively, in the 1983 Division Finals with the Oilers.
Night matches (Swiss time)
Carolina – NY Rangers (02h)
Calgary – Edmonton (04:30)
