2024 Playoffs: Second Round, New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 4 Open Thread

The New York Rangers went 17 years between playoff series sweeps, with their 2007 opening round sweep of the Atlanta Thrashers not being a feat repeated until the opening round of 2024 against the Washington Capitals. Now, two weeks shy of the Blueshirts' Game 4 victory over Washington, Peter Laviolette's squad is on the doorstep of a second consecutive sweep.

An overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 has put the Rangers on the doorstep of a return to the Eastern Conference Finals. Artemiy Panarin's fourth game winning goal of the playoffs extended New York's postseason win streak to seven games, and an eight straight win would punch a ticket into the NHL's final four.

Although Filip Chytil returned to action in Game 3, the young Czech center did not partake in the morning practice session ahead of Game 4. Will Cuylle slotted back into his previous spot on the third line, with Jonny Brodzinski taking the vacated wing on the 4th line. Peter Laviolette said that Chytil felt fine in the immediate aftermath of Game 3, but woke up sick ahead of Game 4, so his lineup status will be finalized shortly before game time.

Player to Watch: Will Cuylle

After dropping to the fourth line in favor of Chytil returning and skating less than seven minutes on Thursday, Cuylle will return to the third line alongside Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko if Chytil is unable to play. The Kakko-Wennberg-Cuylle trio has been one of New York's most effective lines even without lighting up the scoreboard on its own. Whether Cuylle gets bumped back up to the third line or remains on the fourth line, keep an eye on the big bodied forward as the Blueshirts looks to finish off their second consecutive sweep and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Enjoy the game!