The Carolina Hurricanes once again had a terrible night on special teams and so once again were on the losing end of a 4-3 final score, this one coming in double overtime.
The Canes played well enough at even strength to have had the edge and won, but their inability to do anything right on the power play or penalty kill in critical moments spelled defeat.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Jordan Staal and Jake Guentzel spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On the 5v5 game: Yeah, I thought we played really well in that department for sure. Both games I thought we were pretty good in that department and tonight maybe even better than the other night. Certainly had our opportunities.
On limiting his bench to three lines in overtime: It's not ideal, but they were kind of doing the same thing. I thought the flow was good and our guys looked fresh so that really wasn't a concern. As that last period was starting to go, I was going to have to start using everyone, I could tell, but I really liked the 5v5 game. And our guys didn't look tired.
On special teams: We definitely have to be sharper. We have to get inside. We were all on the outside and that's just not how we do it anyway. We have to get back to doing it the way we know how to.
On Jake Guentzel: That line was good tonight. If we're going to come back in the series, we're going to need those guys on the score sheet.
On using past series as motivation: You always can say those things, but at the end of the day, we know what we have to do to win. We're going to just have to find a way to do that. You can draw up anything you want, but at the end of the day, the guys know. They believe in there. I know it. They're the ones playing the game, but I think they understand what we have to do and I think they know that they feel capable of it.
On if the Hurricanes are trying to do too much in response to Igor Shesterkin's play: No. Listen, we know he's a great goalie. He made a lot of good saves tonight, but to answer that, no. You're just trying to get opportunities and when you get them, you obviously try to bear down, but you're not thinking, 'Oh, he's a good goalie I have to do something different.'
Jordan Staal
On the struggles on special teams: Not much else there really to talk about. It's pretty evident. The PK has to kill and the power play has to convert on just probably one and we probably would have found a way to win. I thought our 5v5 game was good. It was a hard-fought game obviously. It's going to sting but we have to find a way to get it done at home and we'll move on from there.
On if the team can take any positives still despite the loss: Yeah, you feel good about (the 5v5 play). Guys worked their tails off. We had some great looks at 5v5 as well and to end the game and we wouldn't even be talking about it, but everyone in this room knows our special teams have to be better and we'll get better and find a way to turn the tide in the series.
On if he feels the Rangers are going down easy: Good question... I mean... good question. It is what it is. There's penalties. It's hard for us to know how hard guys hit other guys. It is what it is.
On the series heading back home: Obviously Game 3 is huge and we're going to take our home crowd emotion and hopefully stick it to them. We have to get better in a lot of different ways, but it's always nice going home in front of our great fans and use that good energy and good emotion to find a way to get a win in Game 3.
On if the team feels they're still right there: Yeah. I don't know what you guys were watching, but it was a double overtime with a lot of good chances to end the game. It's been a good series. They're a good team and we're a good team and we'll find a way to get it done at home.
Jake Guentzel
On getting some goals under his belt: Whenever you can produce, it's a good thing. I'm fortunate to score goals in the playoffs. Obviously not enough. Wish we would have gotten the win.
On the tightness of the series: We're right there. It's a small margin for error in the playoffs. We gotta buckle down on the power play and find a way to get one there. We're going to go home, play in front of our fans and move on.
On the power play: I just think maybe we're a little too much on the outside and we have to shoot the puck a little bit more. I think that's when we're at our best, when we're getting net-front traffic and just shooting it and breaking them down that way. So hopefully we'll get back to that.
On his line: We've all just been playing well and just trying to do whatever helps to get the team a win. [Aho] is such a special player and whenever he gets the puck on his stick, you just have to be ready. You know he's going to find you. Obviously he made an unbelievable pass on the second goal from me. He's just an unbelievable player.
On running into a hot goaltender: We just have to get traffic on him. Obviously he's a good goalie when he sees the puck from us. I think just getting net-front traffic. Goalies, there's such a small margin of error for those guys, so you just have to get to the front of the net.
On the team just rolling three lines: It's playoff hockey. There's nothing better. You want to be out there and you want to have the puck on your stick and make plays. You don't really think about being tired at that moment.