The Carolina Hurricanes are attempting to make an improbable comeback after falling behind 3-0 in their second-round series against the New York Rangers. Monday in Game 5, Evgeny Kuznetsov kept the Hurricanes’ season alive by scoring the game-winning goal in the third period.
The tally marked Kuzy’s fourth goal of the postseason as the Hurricanes completed a 4-1 comeback victory.
Kuznetsov scored after Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei sent a booming slap shot at Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers netminder made a left pad save, but sent a huge rebound to the top of the left faceoff circle. There, a hustling Kuznetsov crashed the net and potted a backdoor rebound goal, beating fellow countryman Artemi Panarin to the puck.
Kuznetsov launched into his signature bird celebration after the goal, flapping his wings as a stunned Peter Laviolette and Madison Square Garden crowd looked on.
“That was phenomenal,” Kuznetsov said postgame. “We were trying hard and through two periods the puck doesn’t go in and [Shesterkin] was playing well. I’m just so grateful to be part of that. It’s one of those where going into the third period you realize that could be the last period this year and you don’t want to have that feeling. I’m so, so grateful that we were able to come back and win the game.”
The 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals now has six points (4g, 2a) in nine playoff games for the Hurricanes. Monday night’s goal was his second since being healthy-scratched by head coach Rod Brind’Amour for Game 2.
Per NHL PR, Kuznetsov is now one of just six active players with at least three career game-winning goals in potential elimination games. He joins a list that includes Joe Pavelski (4), Corey Perry (3), Alex Ovechkin (3), Patrick Kane (3), and Chris Kreider (3).
Things we love to see: Kuzy hitting the bird celly for the second game in a row pic.twitter.com/yQkKOKDE8R
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 14, 2024
Kuznetsov was named First Star of the Game for helping Carolina force the series back to Raleigh for Game 6.
“It’s going to be a dog fight,” Kuznetsov said Sunday. “One bowl of food and two dogs competing with each other. They know it’ll be hell to come back here. We want to put the pressure on them.”
After an emotional start to his tenure with Carolina, Kuznetsov struggled down the stretch as he tried to regain his form after a stint in the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance program. Kuzy amassed just seven points (2g, 5a) in his first 20 games with the Hurricanes after the Capitals dealt him at the trade deadline. Now, Kuznetsov has almost eclipsed that total through just nine postseason outings.
The talented playmaker has always been a clutch playoff performer, recording 67 points (29g, 38a) in 87 playoff games for Washington. Kuznetsov led the Capitals with 32 points (12g, 20a) during their 2018 Stanley Cup run and would have been just as much a deserving winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP as Alex Ovechkin was.
Kuznetsov and Carolina will now look to complete their series comeback with two more wins, starting with Game 6 at PNC Arena on Thursday.
“It’s two beautiful teams that competing against each other and it’s a dog fight now,” Kuznetsov said. “What we trying to do last four days just living day by day and do what’s best available of our opportunities. I’m so, so grateful to have these moments.”
How we feel about coming back to Raleigh pic.twitter.com/5WnvfdwAdW
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 14, 2024
