Rangers' Ryan Strome on disallowed goal: A rule is a rule
New York Rangers' Ryan Strome (16) skates during the third period of Game 5 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 26, 2022. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker
RALEIGH, N.C. – When Ryan Strome corralled a loose puck in the slot and wheeled around and sent a shot past Carolina goalie Antti Raanta at 4:47 in the second period Thursday in Game 5 of the Rangers’ second-round series against the Hurricanes, it looked like the Rangers had taken an unlikely 2-1 lead.
But Carolina challenged the play, alleging the Rangers had been offside before Strome scored, and a video review showed that Andrew Copp had indeed failed to clear the zone before Strome entered with the puck. The goal was disallowed, the score remained 1-1, and the Rangers would go on to lose, 3-1, to fall behind in the best-of-seven series, 3-2.
“I didn't know it till I got back to the bench,’’ Strome said when asked if he thought his goal would hold up. “Obviously things happen quick out there. (It’s) unfortunate, but that's the way the game is. A rule's a rule, and unfortunately they got the power play goal after that. But you know, that's how close these games are right?’’
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant dismissed the notion that the disallowed goal may have been any kind of turning point for the Rangers.
“We knew it was offside,’’ he said.
Five minutes after Strome’s goal was disallowed, Teuvo Teravainen scored the power-play goal that ended up being the game-winner for Carolina.
Braun feels young again
Rangers defenseman Justin Braun, a 12-year veteran who was acquired at the trade deadline and who had played 100 playoff games for the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers, was asked if this particular Rangers team reminded him of any other team he has played on.
“No, not necessarily,’’ he said. “This is a little new. It's a lot younger than a lot of the other teams I was on previously. So you know, the energy, the youthfulness, I think is awesome. The guys are excited. They’ve got a lot of juice every night.
“They're fun to be around,’’ he said. “They make me feel young.’’
Blue notes
Forward Jordan Martinook, who has not played since Game 3 of the Hurricanes’ first-round series against Boston, returned to the lineup for Carolina. He missed eight games with a lower-body injury… Rooney, Braun, and his defense partner Braden Schneider, were the only players who played in Game 4 who took part in the Rangers’ optional skate. The extra players, backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev, taxi squad goalie Keith Kinkaid, and injured forward Sammy Blais – wearing a red, no-contact jersey – were the others… Injured Carolina G Frederik Andersen took part in the Hurricanes’ morning skate, but did not dress.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
