Hurricanes’ Evgeny Kuznetsov becomes Rangers’ new spine

Highlights and lowlights from the Rangers’ Game 5 loss to the Hurricanes on Monday night.

1. Evgeny Kuznetsov

After being a healthy scratch early in the series, the Russian scored in two straight games, including the eventual Game 5 winner.

2. Jordan Staal

It was an individual moment of genius from Staal, who beat Igor Shesterkin after a breakaway, that finally allowed the Hurricanes to launch their comeback effort.

3. Jacob Trouba

The captain, in truth, didn’t have a great run in the first four games, having been on the ice for seven straight goals before Monday, but he finally came off the board with a short-handed goal, the Rangers’ only goal of the evening. .

Key statistic

-2: Rangers’ plus-minus at five-on-five in the series

Quote of the day

“It wasn’t a night we were looking to have. It was more than the third period. —Pierre Laviolette