Miller scores twice, Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-1
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Winter weather didn't stop Rangers fans from getting to PNC Arena on Friday night.
The Hurricanes couldn't slow New York, either.
J.T. Miller got both his goals in the second period and Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves to help the Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Friday night.
Ryan McDonagh had a goal to stretch his scoring streak to four games, and Keith Yandle also scored for New York.
Joakim Nordstrom got a goal for Carolina, and Eddie Lack made 28 saves.
New York has won 14 of its last 15 meetings with Carolina.
The game was played before a tiny crowd, due in part to several inches of wet snow that began falling in the afternoon. Of those that did show up, many sported Ranger blue, something the team noticed.
"I love the Ranger cult," coach Alain Vigneault said. "Everywhere we go it seems like tons of fans, and a lot of times they're louder than the other team's. I've been with three great organizations and this is the best fan base I've seen."
New York led 2-0 after a dominant first period, outshooting the Hurricanes 17-9 and recording 18 hits to the hosts' six.
"I think we came out really focused on this one," Lundqvist said. "We set the tone in the first with a lot of good energy. We've done a lot of good things in the last two games. Our confidence is building and we're taking advantage of it right now.
"We're getting used to having so many Rangers fans on the road. They're all over the country. It's great to see so many people cheering for us, even when the weather was terrible."
McDonagh put the Rangers ahead with 5:59 left in the first, stealing John-Michael Liles' pass at the red line and beating Lack on a rocket over the right shoulder from the left circle.
Yandle made it 2-0 with 2:07 remaining in the first by beating Lack over the right shoulder off Oscar Lindberg's pass from behind the goal line.
Nordstrom beat Lundqvist on a one-timer from Andrej Nestrasil 3:29 into the second.
"They got two unassisted goals on the night and one dumped in right behind us and we turn it over and it's in the net," Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said. "They were quicker on the forecheck. They established their game early and played with the lead all night."
Miller made it 3-1 on a shot from the left circle at 9:41, then scored again 2:10 later after stealing the puck from Jaccob Slavin in the slot and working it past Lack stick side.
"It's good to establish an aggressive forecheck and know what our roles are in it," Miller said. "And we did a great job in the first 40 in making them turn pucks over. On my second goal I tried to sweep across and he just mishandled it a little bit. I just rerouted and was able to get a stick on it and get it by the goalie."
NOTES: This was the opener of a three-game homestand for Carolina, with Calgary visiting on Sunday night and Chicago on Tuesday night. ... The Rangers were not able to fly out after the game because of weather conditions. They're scheduled to play at Ottawa on Sunday. ... Carolina C Riley Nash (illness) was out while teammates LW Chris Terry and D Michal Jordan were healthy scratches. ... Rangers C Chris Kreider (neck) was out. Dylan McIlrath was a healthy scratch. ... Daniel Altschuller dressed as the Hurricanes' backup goalie for the second straight game with Cam Ward (concussion) on injured reserve.