The Rangers ran into a perfect storm on Monday.
A dominant third period lifted the Hurricanes to a 4-1 win at the Garden, closing the gap on their second-round series to a 3-2 Rangers lead.
![Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal against Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers during the third period](https://i0.wp.com/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/jordan-staal-11-carolina-hurricanes-81794318.jpg?resize=885%2C590&ssl=1)
![Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo pushes New York Rangers center Matt Rempe from the back in the first period](https://i0.wp.com/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/new-york-rangers-vs-carolina-81791159.jpg?resize=900%2C557&ssl=1)
Jordan Staal, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jordan Martinook scored on goalie Igor Shesterkin in a 6:23 span in the first half of the period, sending the ‘Canes back to Raleigh as the winners of back-to-back games.
Martin Necas added an empty-netter to cap off the scoring with 3:29 left.
The Rangers’ next chance to close out Carolina and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals will come on Friday at PNC Arena.