Dan Cloutier gave the New York Rangers an unexpected lift, and Mike Richter a needed rest
WRAL.CA
Making his first NHL start, Cloutier blanked Carolina until late in the second period Tuesday night, leading the Rangers past the Hurricanes 4-2.
The Rangers entered Tuesday night's game a disappointing ninth in the Eastern Conference. But Cloutier, who made 26 saves, and captain Brian Leetch, who scored two goals, sparked them to their second straight victory.
``We haven't been able to put a streak together,'' Leetch said, ``but fortunately a lot of teams are up and down like we are, so we're right in the mix of things.''
The Hurricanes, one of the struggling teams Leetch referred to, lost their eighth straight on the road.
``It's frustrating for us, we're not scoring enough,'' Carolina forward Robert Kron said.
The Hurricanes also were a step slow after beating Ottawa 4-1 on Monday night in Greensboro, N.C. ``The young guy made some big saves in their end and you've got to give him credit,'' Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said.
Cloutier, called up from the minors last week, made his NHL debut Saturday night at Washington. He replaced Richter in the first period, and stopped all 16 shots he faced, getting credit for a 3-2 victory.
Richter had started 39 of New York's 43 games this season, and will play for the United States in the Olympics next month.
``I think I played pretty well, but the team played great in front of me,'' Cloutier said. ``I saw all the shots really well.''
The Rangers appeared to be protecting Cloutier with defensive play before Leetch gave them a 1-0 lead at 7:41 of the first period. His turnaround slap shot from the left point beat Hurricanes goalie Kirk McLean to the far corner, only the fourth time in 23 home games New York has scored first.
Adam Graves made it 2-0 when he chipped a thigh-high loose puck past McLean from the goalmouth at 17:48 of the first period for the forward's 12th goal of the season.
Cloutier gained confidence with the lead and made some nice saves in the second period as the Hurricanes outshot the Rangers 12-2.
Cloutier's best save of the period came when he stopped Keith Primeau's breakaway backhander with a left pad.
``I studied him before the game,'' Cloutier said. ``I knew if he was going to make his move it would be to the backhand.''
Cloutier's save appeared to give the Rangers renewed energy, and New York took a 3-0 lead at 8:13 when Tim Sweeney deflected Graves' point shot for the forward's 10th goal of the season.
``This game is 75 percent goaltending,'' Rangers coach Colin Campbell said. ``Dan Cloutier won games for Hartford (AHL) this year all by himself.''
Primeau pulled Carolina to 3-1 at 15:32 of the second period with his 13th goal of the season. Leetch iced the victory on a 5-on-3 power play at 1:55 of the third period for his ninth goal of the season.
``Brian Leetch took the puck and stopped their momentum when they had it,'' Campbell said.
Sami Kapanen made it 4-2 with his 17th goal at 9:08 of the third.