New York Rangers go 0-for-4 on power plays, surrender shorthanded goal to Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 loss

The New York Rangers had relied on their power play to spark them offensively during the regular season and their first round Stanley Cup playoff win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But against the Carolina Hurricanes, the best penalty-killing team in the NHL, they're experiencing a power outage that cost them in Game 2 on Friday night and has them in an 0-2 hole in the series.

The Rangers' power play went 0-for-4 and surrendered the game-winning shorthanded goal to Carolina defenseman Brendan Smith in their 2-0 loss.

«Their power play is so good. Obviously, that was the difference in the game tonight,» said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour. «Don't want to be in that position, taking penalties against them, but it's going to happen. The guys did a great job tonight.»

Goalie Antti Raanta made 21 saves for the shutout. The Hurricanes, who had the best penalty kill in the regular season, have killed 16 of 17 power plays at home in the playoffs.

«A coach's dream is a 1-0 or 2-0 win. There wasn't a lot both ways,» said Smith. «That's a good playoff game. The fans won't like it as much, but for us in the room, it's a lot better.»

The Rangers had two first-period power plays, and then four minutes with man advantage in the second period when Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei clipped Alexis Lafrenière with his stick. But instead of converting, New York surrendered a shorthanded goal to Smith with 4:06 left in the period on a feed from Sebastian Aho.

«I saw Smitty going hard to that back post. It was more of an area pass, I would say. Glad that it worked out,» said Aho. «Great read by him. Huge goal.»

The Hurricanes arguably created as much offense shorthanded as the Rangers did with their power play in Game 2.

«They're just random