Key Takeaways:
– New York Rangers now lead 2-0 after winning the first two games in series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
– Martin Necas of the Hurricanes comments on Jacob Trouba’s attempted hit; believes he was targeted.
– The first two games have seen several confrontations between players from both teams.
– Question arises regarding Trouba’s potential ban by the NHL Player Safety Department if such aggression is repeated.
As the action intensifies, the New York Rangers have seized a 2-0 lead in their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Gearing up for the third game in Raleigh slated for Thursday, May 9, the animosity and heated confrontations highlight the match-up.
Tensions Rise Amidst Fierce Rivalry
The ever-growing tensions were evident across the first two contests, with players from both teams engaging in skirmishes throughout. Notably, Martin Necas of the Hurricanes and Jacob Trouba of the Rangers’ aggressive encounter generated significant buzz.
Commenting on the incident, Necas disclosed his takeaway from Trouba’s attempted hit, “Elbow me in the head, I guess, he knows what kind of player he is.” Despite the allegations, he assured no animosity was harbored and expressed eagerness for the upcoming game.
Trouba’s Dangerous Attempt Could Have Caused Injury
Adding fuel to the fire, Trouba’s attempted hit sparked controversy due to its potential severity. Had the impact connected as Trouba intended – a head-on collision with Necas – it could have led to a significant injury for the Hurricane’s player. Necas, however, managed to dodge the hit, leaving Trouba crashing into the boards.
Reflecting on the close shave, Necas stated, “Good for him, he ran into the boards head-first. Good to dodge the hit as it probably wouldn’t have ended well, but I’m here, it’s fine.”
Potential Consequences for Trouba
Given the increasingly aggressive play by Trouba, questions arise about potential repercussions. If such confrontations occur again, the NHL Player Safety Department might be compelled to step in and impose a ban that could have significant ramifications for the rest of the series.
Series Turns into a Battlefield
High-intensity quarrels have become a common occurrence for the Rangers and Hurricanes games, stemming from past differences and recent instigations. In Game 2, former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo was seen exchanging heated words with K’Andre Miller during an off-air moment.
Further confrontations were sparked when Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov initiated a scuffle with Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterking, earning himself a minor penalty. Amidst the chaos, Rangers rookie Matt Rempe seized a chance at retribution against Carolina’s goalie, Freddy Andersen.
The escalating tensions took a humorous turn when Vincent Trocheck of the Rangers mocked Jake Guentzel of the Hurricanes with a thumbs-up gesture. Adding salt to the wound, Trocheck proceeded to secure the game-winning goal for New York, taking them to a 2-0 series lead.
As the storied rivalry deepens, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming match in Raleigh. The big question remains: will Trouba face repercussions for his aggressive play, or will it become a regular feature of this high-stakes series?