In the second round, the Carolina Hurricanes are facing the New York Rangers and before today's puck drop, the series stands at 2-1 CAR. Antti Raanta (G) and Teuvo Teravainen (F) have been having stellar seasons for the Hurricanes, while Artemi Panarin (LW) has 96 points in 75 games played for the Rangers.
PANARIN:
Artemi Panarin has been wearing the «A» proudly on his chest for the second consecutive season and has quickly proven why he is looked to as a leader on the team. Panarin played for the Blackhawks for two seasons, in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. While part of the team, he also has impressive stints for the Russian Worlds team. Before sending him off to the Columbus Blue Jackets and then subsequently the New York Rangers, he put up impressive points in both seasons in Chicago.
In 2015-2016, he finished the year with 77 points in 80 games, and 7 points in 7 games played during that year's playoffs.
In 2016-2017, he finished out with 74 points in 82 games, but only 1 point in 4 playoff game appearances.
Since his move to the New York Rangers, he has been a standout player and teammate, putting up substantial points and aiding the younger guys while on the ice. In three seasons with the Rangers, he has played a total of 186 regular-season games, putting up a total of 249 points. This past season he hit a career-high with 96 points, consisting of 22 goals and 74 assists as a Left Winger. He has played in every playoff game to date this year, and currently has 8 points, consisting of 3 goals and 5 assists.
TERAVAINEN:
Finnish forward Teuvo Teravainen began his NHL career with the Blackhawks back in 2013-2014 and put up decent numbers while in Chicago. After spending 3 years with the Blackhawks, he played in 78 games totaling 44 points.
In the 2014-2015 season, he was a part of the Stanley Cup team that year, playing in 18 games and finishing the playoffs with 10 points.
After his move to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016, Teravainen has easily become one of the most underrated forwards on the Hurricanes. In total, he has played 411 regular-season games and tallying up 325 points. In the playoffs alone with Carolina, he has 4 goals and 16 assists in 44 appearances. He continues to prove himself on the ice and hopefully will make an impressive run for the Cup!
RAANTA:
Antti Raanta's time on the Chicago Blackhawks was short-lived, however, he was part of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 2015, regardless of having his name left off of the Cup that year.
Raanta has experienced the playoffs before during his time at the Arizona Coyotes, but it wasn't until his playoff debut for the Canes on May 2nd against the Boston Bruins where he recorded his first playoff win, with 36 saves and an SV% of .972. He took over the starter's crease ever since Frederik Anderson suffered a lower-body injury against the Avalanche on April 16. Since then, he has held it down in the paint during the Cane's playoff run and has a record of 5-3 in 9 games played. In the playoffs alone, he currently has a GAA of 1.86 and an SV% of .939.
Whoever wins this series will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Final.
The Hurricanes and Rangers are scheduled to play in Game 5 back in Raleigh, NC on Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. CST.
POLL | ||
Who do you wish the Blackhawks could get back? | ||
Panarin | 125 | 74.4 % |
Hagel | 30 | 17.9 % |
Other | 13 | 7.7 % |
List of polls |