After giving up nine goals in Game 1 against the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers knew they needed a much better defensive outing in Game 2 of the battle of Alberta. They got just that on Friday night, though the scoring was still pretty prevalent as they took a 5-3 win to even the series. The Flames led 2-0 in the first period and 3-1 early in the second as Johnny Gaudreau led them with two assists, but the Oilers fought back on the road to overtake them and claim an important triumph.
Connor McDavid keyed two separate comebacks, providing a goal and an assist, while Zach Hyman scored what proved to be the shorthanded winner midway through the third. If the Oilers can avoid the slow starts, you have to think they will be even more dangerous. Elsewhere, the Carolina Hurricanes made sure not to give any such openings to the New York Rangers as they pitched a shutout to go up 2-0 in their series. Brendan Smith got on the board with a shorthanded goal to break the spirit of the Rangers late in the second period and Sebastian Aho added an insurance goal deep in the third in the 2-0 victory. Goaltender Antti Raanta made 21 saves as he recorded the first shutout of his postseason career. The series now swings to the Big Apple where all the pressure will be on the Rangers.
