Live updates: Martinook’s save preserves Hurricanes’ lead in Game 6 :: WRALSportsFan.com

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes lead 3-1 in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series against the New York Rangers on Thursday night at PNC Arena.

New York leads the series 3-2.

Carolina’s Jordan Martinook saved a goal with a diving sweep of his stick to stop a puck from trickling completely over the goal line to preserve the Hurricanes’ lead. New York defenseman Ryan Lindgren put the puck between the legs of goalie Frederik Anderson, but Martinook came sliding across the ice with and used his outstreched stick to stop the puck just before it full crossed.

if the Hurricanes are able to complete the series comeback, it may be the most memorable moment.

Carolina’s Sebastian Aho beat New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin high to the glove side on a rush down ice to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. Andrei Svechnikov had an assist on the goal with 10:39 remaining in the period.

It was the third goal of the second period.

New York’s Vincent Trochek tipped in a shot from Artemi Panarin to close the deficit to 2-1 with 14:32 remaining in the second period. Carolina goaltender Frederik Anderson made a terrific save off Panarin, but the puck found its way back to him near the blue line and Trochek tipped his shot home.

Carolina’s Seth Jarvis scored a power play goal early in the second period to give the Hurricanes a 2-0. Jarvis banged home a rebound off a shot from Svechnikov. Aho also had an assist.

Carolina is now 2-for-21 on the power play in the series.

Martin Necas scored off a pass from Martinook with 1:23 remaining in the first period. Martinook’s pass from behind the net found Necas all alone and he shot the puck over Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

It was Necas’ fourth goal of the postseason. Martinook and Dmitry Orlov picked up assists on the goal. Orlov kept the puck in and found Martinook behind the net. Necas’ check on Lindgren kept him out of the play and allowed Necas to slip to the front of the net.

Carolina out-shot the Rangers 9-3 in the first period, but both teams had solid opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

Neither team was called for a penalty in the first period, a boon to Carolina, which has been better in 5-on-5 situations throughout the series and struggled on special teams.

Just nine teams have rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to force a Game 7 in the NHL Playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes are aiming to be No. 10 on Thursday night in Raleigh against the New York Rangers. Carolina has won two straight after the Rangers won three one-goal games, two in extra periods, to seize a 3-0 series lead.

Teams are 4-206 when losing the first three games of a series with the last one coming in 2014. Five other teams have won the next three games only to fall in Game 7.

Carolina scored four third-period goals to erase a 1-0 deficit in Game 5 in New York.

“We feel like we have some momentum right now,” defenseman Tony DeAngelo said earlier in the week.

Goalie Frederik Andersen, who has started all but one game in the playoffs, got the start for the Hurricanes. He is 6-3 in the playoffs.

Defenseman Brett Pesce is not available for Game 6. Pesce, who’s been out since Game 2 of the first-round series against the New York Islanders, skated with the team during practice on Wednesday, but coach Rod Brind’Amour said he would not play.

Series schedule

• Game 1: Rangers 4, Canes 3 (Rangers lead 1-0)

• Game 2: Rangers 4, Canes 3 (2 OT) (Rangers lead 2-0)

• Game 3: Rangers 3, Canes 2 (OT) (Rangers lead 3-0)
• Game 4: Canes 4, Rangers 3 (Rangers lead 3-1)
• Game 5: Canes 4, Rangers 1 (Rangers lead 3-2)
• Game 6: Thursday, 7 p.m., PNC Arena
• Game 7: Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m., Madison Square Garden *if necessary