RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Adam Fox ended a 24-game stretch without a goal and the New York Rangers overcame the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2-1 victory Thursday night.
Fox scored at 4:01 of the third period and the Rangers forged a split of a two-game set this week among Metropolitan Division contenders.
Artemi Panarin also scored and assisted on the goal-ahead goal. Mika Zibanejad had two assists for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves.
Sebastian Aho had Carolina’s goal and Frederik Anderson stopped 14 shots. The Hurricanes could have clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a victory, but they’ll have plenty more chances as this was the beginning of a four-game homestand.
The Rangers have points in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1).
The Hurricanes scored three third-period goals to rally for Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory at New York.
Fox gave the Rangers their first lead Thursday night with his 11th goal of the season. Panarin’s pass set up the goal.
New York didn’t have a shot on goal until nearly 11 minutes into the game. That attempt came during a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:49 and resulted in Carolina fans roaring at a playoff-like volume.
Aho’s team-high 31st goal came at 16:47 of the first period.
Panarin tied it at 10:33 of the second on just the eighth shot of the game for the Rangers.
NOTES
Rangers D Ryan Lindgren was out of the lineup. He returned from an 11-game absence with an upper-body injury to play Tuesday night. … Carolina’s first-period penalty kill marked its longest with a two-man disadvantage in 6½ years.
UP NEXT
Rangers: At Florida on Saturday,
Hurricanes: Host Toronto on Saturday.
