Hurricane Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates his goal with teammates Chad LaRose and Joe Corvo during the third period. CHRIS SEWARD - cseward@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH — Carolina rookie Jeff Skinner keeps keeping the points coming.
And Carolina foward Jussi Jokinen keeps keeping the goals coming.
Skinner's work on a big even-strength assist plus a late goal and Jokinen's sixth goal in six games — a power play goal — helped the Canes to a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers at the RBC Center Thursday.
In the first period, Skinner bursted and weaved past defenders with the flair he's shown many times this season. Forward Chad LaRose, to the side of the net, batted in the shot Skinner was able to get off.
The puck got by Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, coming off a shutout, at the 5:39 mark of the first, spinning on the line, with Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu sinking the puck in for good measure in case LaRose's shot wasn't ruled a goal.
Skinner, 18, leads the league in points (39) and assists (22) among rookies this season.
Then in the third period, with LaRose racing around the right corner with the puck, Skinner was there to put home LaRose's pass to the front of the net at 15:51.
On a power play later in the period, Canes defenseman Joe Corvo inched in reverse along the blue line before lining up a Jokinen, camped in front of Lundqvist, for the screen. He winded up a slap shot that tipped Jokinen's stick on the way to the back fo the net at 14:43 for the 2-0 first period lead.
In the second period, Carolina forward Sergei Samsonov found center Brandon Sutter at mid ice, allowing Sutter to brake away, beat the only defender, and back-hand a puck past Lundqvist at 5:41 in the period.
The Rangers attempted to breath some life into their game, apparently instigating a pair of quick fights, the first between New York wing Brandon Prust and Carolina defenseman Jay Harrison and the second fight nine seconds later between New York center Kris Newbury and Carolina center Ryan Carter.
All four men were given five-minute fighting majors, but the Rangers still trailed by three goals at the end of the third period, with the Canes creating more scoring chances on quality shifts.
Prust ended the hopes of a shutout for Carolina goalie Cam Ward, snapping a shot past Ward from about 20 feet out over center at the 11:40 mark of the third period.
It's the third of four meetings this season, and thus far, the Hurricanes have salvaged three out of four points against the Rangers, most recently scratching out an overtime point in a 2-1 loss at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 5.
The Rangers (27-18-3) are coming off a 7-0 thumping of Toronto in New York. Right winger Marian Gaborik had his third hat trick of the season with four goals and an assist.
New York is completing its 13th back-to-back set. The Rangers are 10-2 in the second game this season (6-1 on the road).
The Hurricanes (22-18-6) sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Atlanta Thrashers, who host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight as well.
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail
Comments
Solid games
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:42 — ElevenYearsInCaryThe past 2 games (Bruins and Rangers) have been really solid efforts all around. The intensity has been there, and the players seem to have really stepped up. I thought Corvo was a beast against the Rangers, and he seemed to be much more deliberate about his decisions. And Ward was a rock star. It would have been a shut out yesterday, except for Harrison getting momentarily distracted when he blocked the first shot.
thoughts/observations
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:01 — louis12580about a few things.
First, does anyone notice that when Skinner gets knocked down and about, he gets up and keeps his mouth shut, unlike some rookies who come into the league. I think you know who I'm referring to. He doesn't look to the referees with a whiny expression on his face. I was quite amused at his reply to Avery last night when he was trying to goad Skinner into retaliating. The look, followed by the shrug of the shoulders and grin. No better way to annoy Avery than to ignore him.
Second, what is wrong with Jokinen? Remember how there were some who were questioning him at the beginning of the season. Same for Staal. NOTHING.
Third was after the fights, the 'Canes seemed to be the more energized team. Eric had a burr in his saddle and I think his name was Marc Staal. No brotherly love between them on the ice.
Last is the new whipping boy, Joni. Yes he does seem to flatline when it comes to showing emotion on the ice. Trust me, he cares deeply, that's just his personality. many skewered Eric for his seemingly laissez-faire attitude but since none of us is in the locker room we really don't know their true personalties. Rod was a different type, just as Ron was. Eric is now showing what he's capable of on and off the ice. As for Joni, don't be so quick to run him out of town. I'm sure there have been inquiries about his availability and Jim hasn't budged. Joni is only 26 and now heading into the prime of his career. He's never going to be a Gleason when it comes to the physical play, but you don't have to knock someone on their backside every time. He's a highly skilled offensive player and at the end of the second period when the 'Canes had the puck in the Rangers end for that long stretch I was watching Joni. Head up, looking at all the options. First, he was waiting to see what Lundqvist was going to do. If he moved away from the post, Joni was shooting. If he didn't then Joni was looking to make the hard pass to someone on the back door.
I'm not prepared to run
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 13:07 — ctillI'm not prepared to run Pitkanen out of town. I see the potential, and occasionally he makes a dazzling play at either end of the ice. But I think it's a fair question to ask, do we get a level of play from him commensurate with his being the 3rd-highest paid player on the team. I can't say No, but neither can I say Yes.
Of course there are other D-men, like Commodore, who have struggled to deliver relative to the money they got from a skillfully negotiated contract.
A good game
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 09:25 — esteban1949over all...I personally thought that late in the second period and most of the 3rd period the canes coasted some ...not that they took their foot off the throttle, but they were just a wee bit slower...a habit they need to breeak...quickly too !! A Great Win !!
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! THe new Checkers 3rd Jersey Rocks !!