Photo Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports
With a regulation or overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, the New York Rangers can clinch a Stanley Cup playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The game will mark Eric Staal’s return to Carolina, where he played all 12 seasons of his NHL career before being traded to the Rangers on February 28th. He was the face of the franchise for much of his time in Raleigh, even beyond winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.
The Rangers have won all three games against Carolina this season, outscoring the Hurricanes 11-4. The Hurricanes can use this game to get a first look at prospect Sergey Tolchinsky, who will make his NHL debut. Tolchinsky attended New York’s prospect camp in 2013 before attending Carolina’s camp and signing with the Hurricanes.
