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The New York Rangers looked to be on their way to a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals through two periods in Monday’s Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately, a massive collapse in the third period extended the second-round series.
The Rangers allowed four goals in the third period on their way to a 4-1 loss in front of a disappointed home crowd at Madison Square Garden. New York held a 1-0 lead through two periods on a goal by Jacob Trouba and appeared to be in control until things fell apart in the final frame, allowing Carolina to cut the series lead to 3-2 and force a Game 6.
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin had 18 saves through the first two periods before the Hurricanes started wreaking havoc on him. Jordan Staal tied the game less than four minutes into the third period with a nifty move to beat the two-time All-Star. Evgeny Kuznetsov followed three minutes later by putting the puck in the back of the net off a rebound to give Carolina the lead.
Jordan Martinook extended the lead by converting in front